Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

TAHLEQUAH, OK - Dozens of pre-school aged children showed off their Cherokee language skills by singing, counting and naming

Dusty Delso, Executive Director of Education at the CNO, joins the Unahnti Head Start class in singing "It's a Small World" in Cherokee.

colors in Cherokee during the Cherokee Nation Head Start Center’s first “Sharing Our Cherokee Language” concert.

“The concert is a way to showcase language and cultural experiences the students have learned in Head Start this year,” said Verna Thompson, director of Cherokee Nation’s Early Childhood Unit.

“I like sending my daughter to a Cherokee Nation Head Start where there is an emphasis placed on keeping the Cherokee language and culture alive,” said Christie Sanders, whose daughter, Summer Nofire, attends Cherry Tree Head Start in Adair County.

“I am glad to see the Cherokee Nation Head Start encouraging our children to use the Cherokee language, and then to celebrate it like this is a great thing,” said Brad Peak, whose daughter Joni Peak attends Lost City Head Start. “If we are going to save our language, this is the right place to start.”

The eight Cherokee County Cherokee Nation Head Start centers participating were the A-wi, Tsa-la-gi, Unahnti, Ju-na-ta-ni-da, Shady Grove, Lost City and Lowrey units. Also participating were kids from the Cherry Tree Head Start in Adair County, Okay in Wagoner County, and the Mayes County Early Head Start Home Base.