Native girl punished for speaking her language

wulfie68

Council Member
Mar 29, 2009
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Calgary, AB
I personally really wouldn't be calling for anyone's heads without having witnessed the tone of the exchanges with the teacher, and future discussions. All kids have a great ability to explain to parents that they were 'just' doing one thing, while leaving out surrounding details that change the tone of a story immensely.

Using French phrases back and forth with one another during an English speaking class would have gotten me into just as much trouble in school with my teachers, especially if we were making a show (which I know, teenage girls never do, right?), of having our own exchange going on behind a teacher's back.

This is the way I feel too. I grew up in an area with a large Cree population and some of the kids (white and aboriginal both)would use Cree insults/profanity, with the thought that they would get away with it because they wouldn't be understood, especially when dealing with new teachers, fresh out of university. Its the double-edged part of dealing with kids in multi-lingual situations. Now the girl and her family claim her actions were all innocent but how is the teacher supposed to know what is being said? I'm willing to bet teachers fluent in the native dialect aren't so common as to make it a reasonable job requirement for that area...
 

petros

The Central Scrutinizer
Nov 21, 2008
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I grew up in a town where at least 1/4 of the school were from the reserve... we had native culture segments in almost all of our classes (social studies, art, music, dance in phys. ed) but we never touched on language.
There are language progams out the arse for kids in SK . Everything from Dene to Hindi but it doesn't interrupt math class.
 

IdRatherBeSkiing

Satelitte Radio Addict
May 28, 2007
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Toronto, ON
I personally really wouldn't be calling for anyone's heads without having witnessed the tone of the exchanges with the teacher, and future discussions. All kids have a great ability to explain to parents that they were 'just' doing one thing, while leaving out surrounding details that change the tone of a story immensely.

I don't think they have asked for her head just an apology (from what I have read).
 

petros

The Central Scrutinizer
Nov 21, 2008
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"My little "princess" would never cause a ruckus in class. She's an "angel"....I'm going to make sure they stop picking on her..."
 

EagleSmack

Hall of Fame Member
Feb 16, 2005
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In Canada we embrace multiculturalism and the more languages you can speak the more you
can fit into the world.

Unless like WLDB pointed out he got in trouble speaking English in a French School up there. Selective multiculturalism?
 

TenPenny

Hall of Fame Member
Jun 9, 2004
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Location, Location
Ah.

 

#juan

Hall of Fame Member
Aug 30, 2005
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i'm really trying hard to censor myself right now!

Cultural and linguistic imperialism is still very much alive and well in north america i see. Not surprised in the least, but infuriated nonetheless.



Especially when they have doctorate degrees.

wtf??????????????????????????????????????
 

earth_as_one

Time Out
Jan 5, 2006
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The US is a cultural melting pot, where you will be assimilated. Resistance is futile. Everyone will speak and act American.

Canada is multicultural. Which means we respect and preserve languages and cultures. (In theory)

I see First Nation language and Culture along the lines of unique family heirlooms passed on from generation to generation. If we loose native languages and cultures, we'll loose them forever and all Canadians and humanity will be poorer as a result. If the Americans don't want to keep First Nation cultures and languages alive, that's their loss and humanity's loss. IMO, irresponsible and short sighted.

I interpret this as:

I'm proudly ignorant and want to stay ignorant. If I teach your children, they will become just as ignorant as I am or they will be punished.

I teach for a living and I expect that some students will know about certain topics than I do. If I'm wrong, I want them to challenge me and correct my ignorance. Over time, I become a better teacher.
 

EagleSmack

Hall of Fame Member
Feb 16, 2005
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"I love you", "Hello" and "Thank-you"....

Even in another language, that's fightin' talk to some....

Reminds me of that Steve Martin movie where he is a mobster in the witness protection program...

"Have a nice day!"

"Hey F*** You!"
 

Machjo

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 19, 2004
17,878
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Ottawa, ON
The US is a cultural melting pot, where you will be assimilated. Resistance is futile. Everyone will speak and act American.

Canada is multicultural. Which means we respect and preserve languages and cultures. (In theory)

I see First Nation language and Culture along the lines of unique family heirlooms passed on from generation to generation. If we loose native languages and cultures, we'll loose them forever and all Canadians and humanity will be poorer as a result. If the Americans don't want to keep First Nation cultures and languages alive, that's their loss and humanity's loss. IMO, irresponsible and short sighted.

Canada is just as assimilationist but just does it with a friendly smile. Most of Canada's indigenous languages are at high risk of extinction as is, with official bilingualism simply being a double burden on them, which essentially is even worse than the US' single burden of English.
 

EagleSmack

Hall of Fame Member
Feb 16, 2005
44,168
96
48
USA
Canada is just as assimilationist but just does it with a friendly smile. Most of Canada's indigenous languages are at high risk of extinction as is, with official bilingualism simply being a double burden on them, which essentially is even worse than the US' single burden of English.

Shhhhhh Machjo... not so loudly. You'll ruin their self righteousness feelings about themselves.