Russell Begaye: “Water is sacred and the river is life for all of us.”

The bill stifles the tribal voice in monument management, and the bill eliminates protection for our cultural patrimony.

For these reasons, we strongly advocate that the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act be reauthorized at the proposed $13 million levels for each fiscal years 2019 through 2023.

Language preservation funding like Ester Martinez has provided resources for programs across Indian Country to help our youth learn their Native languages to preserve our rich traditions and unique culture.

I am here because 150 years later we must continue to fight to honor our treaty, our landscape, and our cultural patrimony for future generations.