Sioux Tribe prioritizing vaccine for speakers of native language

[left-of-center2012]

The Standing Rock Sioux tribe is prioritizing speakers of its native languages for its COVID-19 vaccine distribution.

Standing Rock Sioux Reservation Tribal Chairman Mike Faith said the logic behind the decision is to make sure traditions and customs don't die out.
"It’s something we have to pass on to our loved ones, our history, our culture our language," Faith told KXMB-TV. "We don’t have it in black and white, we tell stories. That’s why it’s so important."

Only 300 people who live on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, located in both North and South Dakota, are fluent in the native Dakota and Lakota languages. Tribal Health Director Margaret Gates told the AP that Standing Rock's native speakers are the "most important asset to our tribe and people because of the language."

Cases of the coronavirus have increased 400 percent in recent months at the reservation. The number of cases increased from 106 in August to 550 in November, and it's unclear how many cases the reservation currently has.

https://thehill.com/homenews/news/532392-sioux-tribe-giving-vaccine-priority-to-speakers-of-native-language

[TexasProgresive]

1. I never use the word Sioux as the name for the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota peoples.

It wasn't their name for themselves but put on them by others. However if they have come to use it themselves that is their right. So if I ever meet someone from Standing Rock I will go with Sioux.

[Hortensis]

2. Whoever makes this decision, the tribe needs a HEALTH director

who focuses on the people's health issues and preserving their lives and physical wellbeing. Preserving culture should be for someone else.

And given this decision, all members should ideally be eligible to go get vaccinated in another jurisdiction.

[mainer]

3. Really interesting decision. Preserving the wisdom.

I completely get the logic.

[2naSalit]

4. That makes sense.