ŁINAY'STUŁKAAS DE'
Let's Start Sewing!
It has become increasingly essential to take immediate action in response to the declining usage of the Ahtna Dene Athabaskan language to preserve it. We must explore ways to prevent its continued decline. The primary objective of this project was to establish effective methods for teaching the language to adult learners. The selected approach was through a traditional beading activity known as Łinay’sdułkaas de’ – Let’s start sewing. Beading is a customary Native activity that combines cultural teachings and meaning, promoting healing and well-being. It has been established as an engaging, social, non-intimidating, and effective tool for language learning. This project drew on ideas from Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT), Multiliteracies, Funds of Knowledge, Comprehensible Input, and Output to explain how the Ahtna language could be taught in meaningful and cultural ways.
Connecting Traditional Activities with Native Language Through Task-Based Language Teaching
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The implementation of beading as a pedagogical tool to teach Ahtna has been an area of interest. The act of creating objects with one's hands has been shown to promote focus and tranquility, even in situations where the outcome may not be certain. The project at hand involves the creation of a necklace, comprising a single row of small, big, and long beads strung together. By keeping the necklace design relatively simple, students are able to experience a sense of accomplishment, having completed the project in a short amount of time. The process of language acquisition, however, may impede the pace of beading as students utilize Ahtna to count and articulate the names of the beads they are selecting.
Prior to the assembly of the necklace, it is necessary to acquaint oneself with the nomenclature of the materials to be utilized, namely thread, needle, leather strap, knot, and beads. Brief lessons in language are imparted through discussions, games, and problem-solving exercises, to aid students in comprehending the task at hand. Such instruction is delivered in the Ahtna language, and students are expected to participate actively in the process.
Prior to the assembly of the necklace, it is necessary to acquaint oneself with the nomenclature of the materials to be utilized, namely thread, needle, leather strap, knot, and beads. Brief lessons in language are imparted through discussions, games, and problem-solving exercises, to aid students in comprehending the task at hand. Such instruction is delivered in the Ahtna language, and students are expected to participate actively in the process.