Words To Mark This Moment In Time

Today stands out from others. Today, an Elder is returned to the Earth. This Elder was the last Native speaker of the Tututni Language. This man earned a Purple Heart for his actions during the Korean war. This Elder fought many battles, not the least of which was the battle he had to overcome just to begin speaking his native tongue out loud once again. To make his mouth form those sounds and his vocal cords allow the breath to pass by, was a victory hard won. You see, this man was taken to a Boarding School as a young boy and whipped anytime he spoke a syllable of his Mother tongue. He had to learn English quickly and he did. It was harder to overcome the fear associated with speaking Tututni many decades later, but he did. And when he did, a world of forgotten memories came flooding back to him. Times with his Mother and Aunties. This man, he loved to tell stories about them. He loved to tell stories. His heart shone brightly when he spoke his language, and even more brightly to see young ones eager to learn it.

Imagine for a moment what it might be like to have your first language be so obscure, so rarely spoken that it was deemed extinct. What does it mean for humanity when we loose a language of the people? What does it mean for humanity to forbid the speaking of a language? How closely entwined is your identity with your Mother tongue? How does your language influence the way you relate to others?

To this Elder, I say thank you. For modeling the courage to overcome fear and make something beautiful happen. For believing that to loose something so great as the language of a people is too terrible to fathom. Thank you for all the stories and smiles and words that you generously shared - with so many. My family will keep your memory strong. We continue to speak and sing in that nearly lost language. So will our children. We are grateful for your walk on this Earth. Rest, dear Elder, in peace.


Obituary 
Chosin Reservoir Purple Heart Warrior
First Warrior Tribute
Tutudin Language Aritcle Written for the Register Guard
Another Article about Tutudin Language Restoration