TITLE 2 – GOVERNMENT ADMINISRATION PART IV – COMMISSIONS; BOARDS

CHAPTER 4-4 – LANGUAGE & CULTURE COMMISSION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section 10 Establishment of the Yaqui Language and Culture Commission 1

Section 20 Composition of the Yaqui Language and Culture Commission 1

Section 30 Role and function of the Yaqui Language and Culture Commission 1

TITLE 2 – GOVERNMENT ADMINISRATION PART IV – COMMISSIONS; BOARDS

CHAPTER 4-4 – LANGUAGE & CULTURE COMMISSION

Section 10 Establishment of the Yaqui Language and Culture Commission (2 PYTC § 4-4-10)

The Yaqui Language and Culture Commission shall be established under the authority of the Pascua Yaqui Tribal Council. Members shall be appointed by the Tribal Council. The Yaqui Language and Culture Commission shall be coordinated under the auspices of the Tribal Department of Education. The Commission shall meet at least four times a year and as deemed necessary. The activities of the Commission shall be published in the Yaqui Tribal Bulletin and/or otherwise distributed to the tribal membership from time to time. All meetings of the Commission shall be open to the public and any member of the Tribe may express opinions and concerns on language and culture issues during the meetings. Minutes of each meeting shall be kept and shall be disseminated to the Tribal members upon costs at the current rate as stipulated by the Tribal Council.

Section 20 Composition of the Yaqui Language and Culture Commission (2 PYTC § 4-4-20)

The Commission shall be composed of persons that are acknowledged to be fluent in the Yaqui language, and that are knowledgeable of Yaqui culture, traditions and religious ceremonies. There shall be at least one Commissioner appointed from each Village/Pueblo and other communities as appropriate. Tenure on the Commission shall be determined by the Commission members in consultation with the Tribal Council

Section 30 Role and Function of the Yaqui Language and Culture Commission (2 PYTC § 4-4-30)

The role and function of the Commission shall include, but not be limited to the following:

1. To serve as the primary planning, screening and review body for all issues relating to the Yaqui language, history, culture and tradition including instruction and related activities that are tribally, privately, federally and state funded.
2. To assist the Pascua Tribal Council in the formulation of laws and policies pertaining to the Yaqui language and other cultural matters and activities except for such activities as those determined by the ceremonial societies. The Yaqui Language and culture Commission shall submit its recommendations to the Tribal Council for final sanction and approval.
3. To work cooperatively with other appropriate tribal committees, divisions and departments, as well as individuals, to ensure that all cultural and traditional matters including the preservation of ancient and contemporary burial sites, sacred objects, ancestral remains and traditional and ceremonial customs such as burial practices are protected in negotiations and agreements with any external entity.
4. To determine the criteria for Yaqui language competencies and fluency and to develop and plan screening procedures regarding competency and fluency. Such criteria and procedure shall pertain to teachers and to those Yaqui speaking individuals desiring to obtain college credit from colleges and universities for speaking a second language.
5. To review and approve all Yaqui culturally-related curricula including textbooks, workbooks, modern communications media productions and other instructional materials in the Yaqui, Spanish and English languages.
6. To review all external research and proposed studies as described in section VI and to recommend approval or disapproval to the Tribal Council.
7. To review all other assignments and tasks related to the Yaqui language, history and culture as may be designated or assigned by the Pascua Yaqui Tribal Council.
8. To provide recommendations for amendments to these language policies as required and to submit the proposed amendments to the Tribal Council.