October 2000

RESOLUTION OF THE 
WHITE MOUNTAIN APACHE TRIBE OF THE
FORT APACHE INDIAN RESERVATION

WHEREAS, The White Mountain Apache language is vital to the life, culture and identity of the White Mountain Apache people, and therefore the Tribe acknowledges the importance of preservation and maintenance of the Apache language.

WHEREAS, an Arizona initiative entitle “English Language Education for children in Public Schools (Proposition 203)” has been circulated by an English only group called “English for the Children of Arizona” for signatures which has caused it to be placed on the Arizona ballot in November 2000; and

WHEREAS, Ron Unz, a wealthy California computer entrepreneur, managed to get (Proposition 227) passed in California last summer, is now supporting similar initiatives in Arizona and other states. The proposed AZ Unz initiative (Proposition 203), will be a stricter version.

WHEREAS, “Structured/Sheltered English” is presented as “a temporary transition period not to exceed one year”, would mix children of different language backgrounds and ages together, and would forbid teaching (including reading and writing) in a language other than English; and

WHEARAS, the Proposition 203 in theory would allow parents to request waivers, but in practice it would be almost impossible to get such waivers approved; and

WHEREAS, parents of legal guardians opposing bilingual education would be given “legal standing” to sue school officials who refuse to implement the Proposition 203. Those officials could be found personally liable for fees and damages, immediately removed from office, and barred from public school authority for five years; and

WHEREAS, the Proposition 203 is intended to restrict students, despite their parent’s wishes, to one ideologically approved language development program; and

WHEREAS, the proponents of the Proposition 203 are intent on placing students in “Structured/Sheltered English immersion” programs, whether or not their parents want them in such programs, and

WHEREAS, the White Mountain Apache Tribe is much more concerned about the continuing loss of the Apache Language. These ideological attacks on bilingual education are understood as attacks on the rights of Apache Children and Apache parents, and on the future of the Apache language and way of life; and

WHEREAS, the recommendation is that the White Mountain Apache Tribe strongly oppose the Proposition 203, “English Language Education for children in Public Schools” and directs the Indian Education Committee and the White Mountain Apache Tribal Education Department to inform and education schools on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation, parents, and voters of the contents and consequences of this proposition. 

BE IT RESOLVED, by the Tribal Council of the White Mountain Apache Tribe that it strongly opposes the Arizona Proposition 203, “English Language Education for children in Public Schools” and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, by the Tribal Council of the White Mountain Apache Tribe that it directs the Indian Education Committee and the White Mountain Apache Tribal Education Department to inform and educate schools, parents, and voters of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation of the content and consequences of this proposition.