You know, she made the point when we rebuild from destruction, we tend to rebuild and not build for the future.

Native languages are not only crucial to the communities that speak them, but they also have played an important role in our shared American history.

And you specifically highlight the importance of funding to support growth of local leadership, staffing, facilities, materials, mentorships, and a tribal language teaching workforce, among other things.

what the Cherokee Nation has done, is a really impressive move forward in terms of Native languages.

So, on the whole, you are very predisposed to reauthorization?

That, I think, is a tremendously important concept.

I know that your parents who are here and behind you are very proud of you, but your little brother went to sleep during your testimony, so I don't want to wake him up.

Native language revitalization has been a long-time priority for me, and I appreciate the Committee highlighting this issue.

Several of the things I have heard over and over again is that the grant length for Esther Martinez should go to five years rather than three years and, also, the minimum class size should go from 10 to 5.

Do you see one of the things that happens with young people your age, if they learn Cherokee fluently, they feel more motivated to succeed, to interact with the community, to make sure that you grow a stronger community?

I am particularly encouraged hearing a lot of these, especially when we are looking at the reauthorization of the Esther Martinez Act and making sure that we take your input.

What is your position on the reauthorization of the Esther Martinez Act?