Ti’tooqan Cuukweneewit – Lori Lynn Parrish

Lori Lynn Parrish

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Tribal affiliation: Nez Perce Tribe

Having Native teachers for Native students

I do believe its really important that we learn how to teach ourselves; learn how to teach our own. That doesn’t take anything away from teacher who are not Indian, because I’ve had some amazing teachers. But I’ve been asked by a former teacher, once she found out I was in the program, to consider following her footsteps and teaching Nez Perce language and history. I felt like I wasn’t qualified to do that… those are big shoes to fill! But if I don’t, who’s going to? Is there another Tribal member who is willing to do that and go through all the schooling? Going back to school is hard when you have a family! You’re used to making money and then you go back to school and you definitely notice a difference. It’s a sacrifice but I think it’s an important one that will pay off not just financially but it will pay off for our students and our future really.

On importance of language and getting involved

I think if we lose the language, we lose everything! That was the core of our communication, and you can’t do a lot in this world without communicating. There have been people in my family who directly died trying to save the language… to preserve the language. I think that’s one of the things that’s helping push me to open my eyes and see that I need to get involved. I don’t know what I can do but let me at least try and we’ll go from there. I can further exclude my life and think that I’m not qualified to do this or help, but if I don’t pick this up, who’s going to?