By WILLIAM KATES, Associated Press Writer

ONEIDA, N.Y. (AP) - Heath Hill looks forward to the day when all ceremonies in the Oneida Indian Nation Longhouse can once again be held in the native language spoken by someone from his upstate New York tribe.



"We used to have to pay people to come out here and help us," said the 32-year-old Hill. "I didn't really care for that. We want to be able to do it for ourselves."



"I want to raise my family in the traditional ways but it's hard when you can't even speak your own language," said Hill, who along with his girlfriend are among eight tribal members finishing up a unique two-year program to learn the Oneida language.



Indian tribes across the country are taking steps to preserve their native languages. The Oneida Indian Nation of New York has made it a full-time job, paying tribal members what they would earn in other jobs to immerse themselves in the nation's spoken word.


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