Influence of language on culture talk today

American Indian Heritage Month at Lab

The Laboratory's American Indian Heritage Month celebration begins today with a talk about language and culture at 11 this morning in the Materials Science Laboratory Auditorium at Technical Area 3.

Hazel Dean-John Muhlenbruch, former director of the Seneca Language Center, Allegany Reservation in New York, will give the talk, which is open to all Laboratory workers and the public. Muhlenbruch's topic is "Influence of Language on Culture."

The theme of this year's American Indian Heritage Month observance is "The Power of Language in Diversity."

As part of the opening ceremonies, a welcome address in four tribal languages will be given by Beverly Ramsey, Risk Reduction and Environmental Stewardship (RRES) Division leader, Eastern Cherokee Tribe of North Carolina; Daniel Begay of Plasma Physics (P-24), Navajo Nation; Simon Suina of Security Support (S-5), Cochiti Pueblo; and John Kaskaske, Oklahoma Kickapoo tribe.

Muhlenbruch received her doctoral degree in linguistics from the University of Arizona. She is now retired, but still active in efforts to preserve the Seneca language.

Other scheduled events this month as part of the celebration include a panel discussion on April 22 and a poster exhibit on display through April 30 in the Bradbury Science Museum downtown. Information for the exhibit was contributed by Lab workers from pueblos and tribes from across the country.

American Indian Heritage Month at the Lab is sponsored by the American Indian Diversity Working Group, the Tribal Relations team in the Government Relations (GRO) Office, the Diversity/Affirmative Action Board and the Diversity (DVO) Office.

Today's talk will be broadcast on LABNET Channel 9 and can be accessed via the Internet using Real Media Player and IPTV technology.

For more information about American Indian History Month, go to the AIDWG Web site at http://www.lanl.gov/orgs/dvo/aidwg/heritage.shtml online or see the April 5 Daily Newsbulletin.

-- Steve Sandoval

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