Apache language preservation, education

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• Apache language preservation, education
  assessment through technology integration

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How I came to live with the Apache

• I was captured by the Apaches as a small child,
  and traded to my wives family for three horses
  and an old rifle

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Actually, the truth is

• Married 18 years to a fluent Apache speaker/HS
  teacher.
• Participated in numerous tribal ceremonial
  activities.
• Lived and worked on the Mescalero Apache
  Reservation for 14 years.
• Currently teaching computer applications
  technology to grades 7-12 at Mescalero Apache
  School.
• Graduate student at NM Tech Masters of Science
  Teaching (MST) Program.

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The Mescalero Apaches

• Tribe is made up of three Apache bands
  Mescalero, Chiricahua, Lipan.
• Reservation is in the southern 1/3 of New Mexico
  in the Sacramento Mtns, and is approx. 460 sq
  miles.
• Currently there are approx. 4500 tribal members,
  some of which are direct descendants of Geronimo,
  Naiche, Cochise and Mangas Colorados.

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The Issues

• Over half of the reservation residents are under
  age 18.
• Most fluent speakers are over the age of 40.
• Language is the foundation Apache culture and
  traditional activities.
• If language and culture is not preserved, it
  could be lost within two generations.
• Those that know the culture and language are not
  usually tech savvy people, and are wary of
  sharing their knowledge with outsiders.

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A SolutionUse technology to preserve, teach, and
assess language understanding.
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• Apaches have used technology for centuries-
• Horses, Metal, Cloth, Rifles, and Old Copier
  PartsREALLY!!

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Sensitive Issues

• If someone wants you to know something, they will
  tell you.
• Some are not comfortable sharing their culture or
  knowledge with others.
• Many families perform cultural activities in a
  unique manner.
• Just because you can, doesn't always mean you
  should.

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But how do we use technology?

• Partner students that are tech savvy with
  Apache language teachers/community elders that
  know the language and culture.
• Develop a digital record of photos, videos and
  audio recordings.
• Use those resources to develop teaching resources
  for future generations.
• Find and modify existing technologies to meet
  your program needs.
• Students develop their own understanding and
  resources of their language (constructive
  learning).

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Digitally Recording Songs Stories
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Compile and edit written resources
Jesus Be Gat' í Ná Jesus be gat' í ná ee
níyá. Jesus be gat' í ná ee níyá. Jesus
be gat' í ná ee níyá nahi neeya. CHORUS
Jesus be gat' í ná ee níyá. Jesus
be gat' í ná ee níyá. Jesus be gat'
í ná ee níyá nahi neeya. 1. Shi t' éké
lee, ijuudlá gu, Jesus bil ja?ash gu ná
gúzhú. Jesus be gat' í ná ee níyá. Jesus
be gat' í ná ee níyá nahi neeya.
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Photograph cultural activities
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Recording songs video during cultural activities
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Participate in cultural activities
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Apache War Dancing
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Maintain student identity through public art
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Develop technology skills knowledge
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Students share knowledge of technology
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Develop assessment tools

• Lets take a look
• Pre-K/Kinder Grades 1-6 Grades 7-12

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Questions??

• dbyers_at_mescaleroas.org
• www.maschiefs.org
• http//www.cricksoft.com/uk/products/clicker