Voices of the Earth/Threatened Languages Poetry Reading January 14, 2007

Voices of the Earth: 2nd Annual Threatened Languages Poetry Reading
Press Release

The 2nd Annual Threatened Languages Poetry Reading will take place on Sunday, January 14, 2007, from 5:30-7:30 PM at the Harwood Art Center, 1114 7th Street. This event is co-sponsored by Ho Anumpoli!—a New Mexico non-profit dedicated to Indigenous language and culture revitalization—and ABQSlam.

Of the world’s estimated 6500 languages, more than 5,000 could disappear during the next hundred years. This includes all the indigenous languages of the Americas, tribal languages of Africa and Asia, and the languages of Oceania—Polynesian and Aboriginal languages. This event brings attention to the plight of these threatened languages while celebrating their beauty through poetry and song.

In addition to these languages—Irish, Okinawan, Navajo, Hawaiian, and Nahuatl that were celebrated last year, this year’s reading has added Sesotho, the language of Lesotho.

The following is the tentative program.

Invocation in Nahuatl—Luis & Paula Garcia
Irish—Alan Hudson
Navajo—Nora Yazzie accompanied by Navajo flutist, Andrew Thomas
Okinawan—Sanae Wright

Intermission—refreshments available; donation requested

Navajo—Colleen Gorman
Sesotho—Camilla Dodson
Hawaiian—Hoku Duran
A donation is requested at the door. The funds raised will be used to continue and expand this event. All donors will receive a bumper sticker—“Native Languages: A National Treasure” or “Save an endangered language. Speak it!” Donors of $15 will be entered in a drawing for a T-shirt commemorating the event and a copy of the book Holocaust of Native America.