A recent controversy has erupted over plans to transform one of Singapore’s historic cemeteries, Bukit Brown cemetery, into a residential district. The plans begin with construction of a new dual four-lane road through the site, announced by Land Transport Authority (LTA) Singapore on September 12^th 2011.

The announcement was met with a wave of protests from conservationists and cultural heritage advocates, who believe that the decision would lead to an irrevocable loss of historic value and natural wildlife.

Located in the North-East of Singapore, the Bukit Brown cemetery is one of few remaining lush green vegetation areas in the country. Affectionately known to the local community as Coffee Hill, Bukit Brown cemetery (“bukit” meaning hill in Malay) was a Chinese public cemetery established in the early 20^th century, named after its former owner George Henry Brown who arrived in Singapore in the 1840s.

After acquiring the site in 1919, municipals opened a cemetery for local Chinese communities. Cultural heritage is a topic close to many hearts. In land-scarce Singapore, which has embraced a relentless drive to develop and modernise, little has stood in the way of development.

Prioritising land use for infrastructure development has meant that many historical landmarks, such as the colonial-styled National Library, have been demolished. Singapore’s hard-nosed decisions to implement urban and economic imperatives over preservationist impulses have always been a thorny issue with locals, who feel that it is eroding the country’s identity.

According to Wall Street Journal Southeast Asia, Singapore Heritage Society spokesman Terence Chong said, “Bukit Brown serves as a potent reminder that our nation arose not only on the backs of the rich, but on the faceless ghosts of our collective familial past, thus enriching the tapestry of the Singapore story.”

A resting place for many prominent early migrants, the cemetery resonates with much of Singapore’s early history. Lee Hoon Leong, grandfather of Singapore’s first prime minister and founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, was among those interred at the cemetery. In an attempt to assuage public outcries, LTA has reiterated that the road will only affect 5% of the 100, 000 graves in the 0.86km² cemetery.

This is not the first time that the Bukit Brown cemetery has faced threats of being cleared for redevelopment. In the 1970s, the site was granted reprieve. Now, however, its fate has been sealed: Singapore authorities have confirmed that the development of the future estate in Bukit Brown will take place in 30 to 40 years’ time.

In the interim, the dual road will be constructed to ease traffic during peak periods. Traffic along one of the adjacent roads to Bukit Brown is predicted to increase between 20% to 30% by 2020. Currently, peak periods see 6,000 to 7, 000 vehicles travelling on these roads.

What was surprising, noted Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) Singapore deputy director, Zulkiflee Mohd Zaki, was that no one came forward to object the Bukit Brown Concept Plans and Master Plans for redevelopment that were displayed for feedback in 2001 and 2008 respectively, reported the Straits Times.

The furore only begun after LTA confirmed that construction plans for the new road will begin in 2013. As Singapore’s population continues to expand rapidly due to a growing number of expatriates and foreigners relocating to the country, the government’s decisions toward prioritising land use will come under greater scrutiny.

The dilemma remains: to fulfil short term practical needs or to cultivate a long term sense of belonging for a country with little historic sentiment?

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Mama Bear, Papa Bear, Brother Bear, and Sister Bear will be speaking a new language this fall – Lakota, one of the dialects spoken by the Sioux tribe. The animated Berenstain Bears is the first animated series to be dubbed in a Native American language in the United States. Twenty episodes of the popular television series will be dubbed in Lakota.

The series, which is translated as Mathó Waúnsila Thiwáhe, or “Compassionate Bear Family,” began airing on September 11, and will air weekly through the end of 2011. The idea to dub the show into Lakota came from the need to pass on the language to the younger generation.

According to the Associated Press, there are approximately 120,000 Sioux members, and only about 6,000 speak Lakota. Wilhelm Meya, executive director of the Lakota Language Consortium (LLC), estimates that the average age of Lakota speakers is about 60 years old.

The loss of a language not only reflects the shrinking numbers of the Sioux population, but also threatens the loss of an entire culture. According to the LLC website, the importance of nature and spiritual concepts can be expressed in Lakota differently than in English. The LLC partnered with Standing Rock Sioux Tribe over a year ago in order to begin teaching Lakota to young children.

When the partners approached Berenstain Enterprises Inc., the company waived the fee it normally charges when using their characters. The organization plans to release a DVD with all 20 episodes and a teacher/parent guide to using Lakota at home in November. According to LakotaBears.com, the series was chosen because it reflects Lakota values. Bravery, generosity, respect, and courage will be prominent themes in the episodes, and family interaction will be emphasized.

Dubbing the popular television series is not the only attempt to teach Lakota. Sioux Falls High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota will be offering Lakota language classes next year. The school had a Lakota program last year, but lost the teacher. The University of South Dakota and Sitting Bull College will also begin offering programs for those interested in teaching Lakota.

AccreditedLanguage.com notes that using children’s materials is helpful when learning a second language at any age. Children’s literature and television shows are easily accessible by anyone. Oftentimes, a children’s series will start with simple vocabulary and grammar then become gradually more difficult, which helps build vocabulary and grammar.

The series has met overall support from children who previewed the series, native Lakota speakers, and readers on the Internet. However, some readers have wondered if this project is worthwhile since so few people speak Lakota.

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