Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
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Cover: Children's Songs in the Cherokee Language

TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Cherokee Nation has just release its newest CD, "Children’s Songs in the Cherokee Language". The CD is being distributed free of charge to Head Start and Elementary Schools in the Cherokee Nation jurisdictional area. It will soon be available for sale to the general public, through several different avenues. The release date of October 20 is scheduled to coincide with the NAMMY's, otherwise known as the Native American Music Awards.

The Cherokee Nation's language training coordinator, Anna Huckaby, translated 12 popular children’s songs into Cherokee for the CD. Some of the songs are literal translations of the originals but most have been rewritten to reflect Cherokee culture and legends. For example, the favorite "Eensy Weensy Spider" (Usdi Kananesgi or Little Spider) tells the Cherokee story of the origin of fire, or how the spider carried the fire across the water in a basket on her back.

"In addition to being entertaining, the CD accomplishes the mandate of preserving the tribal language", said Lisa Larue Stopp, a Cherokee Nation employee who helped compose and perform the music for the CD." Young children who have had the opportunity to listen to the songs while in their working stages danced, clapped and sang along. It is a fun, easy and quick way to learn elements of the Cherokee language."

The CD includes 12 songs in Cherokee, with separate tracks without vocals so kids sing the songs themselves. Listeners may log onto the Cherokee Nation website, downloads area, to download the lyrics of the songs as well as two songs via MP3 download. The lyrics are presented in Cherokee syllabary, Roman phonetics and English translations. Those who do not have access to the Internet can contact the Cherokee Nation’s Cultural Resource Center, phone: 918-458-6170 and ask for a paper copy.

The Cherokee Nation Cultural Resource Center has released two CD's this year, the other one being the Cherokee National Children's Choir's second CD titled "Voices of the Creator’s Children", featuring Rita Coolidge.

"Native American music is a fast-growing genre in the music industry, and Cherokee Nation is fortunate to have resources such as many acclaimed musicians and industry people as employees and tribal members", said Gloria Sly, director of the Cherokee Nation’s Cultural Resource Center.

For more information, contact Lisa Stopp at the Cherokee Nation Cultural Resource Center, by phone: 918-458-6170 or by e-mail: cultural@cherokee.org, and watch the Cherokee Nation web site for further information on the CD.

The following tracks appear on the new CD: TRACKS:

1. Ayv Usdi Dagasi - I’m a Little Terrapin (I’m a Little Teapot)
2. Usdi Kanonesgi - Little Spider (Eensy Weensy Spider) MP3
3. Baa Baa Gvnage Unodena - Baa Baa Black Sheep (Baa Baa Black Sheep)
4. Tsoi Unadalvi - Three Sisters (Row, Row, Row Your Boat)
5. A-ni Tsa-la-gi - Cherokee People (B-I-N-G-O)
6. Meli Tsunoselv - Mary Told a Story - (Mary Had a Little Lamb)
7. Usdi Ditligesgi - Rock a Bye Baby (Rock a Bye Baby)
8. Kanoisdi Ganoyvgv Dikanogisg - Syllabary Song (ABC Song) MP3
9. Etlawe Usdi Gesesdi - Hush Little Baby (Mockingbird)
10. Utsidalugisgi Noquasi - Bright and Shiny Star (Twinkle Twinkle Little Star)
11. Tsoi Tsisduna - Three Crawdads (Three Blind Mice)
12. Aliheligi Nihi - Celebrate! (Happy Birthday)

    All songs are repeated a second time without vocals for use in the classroom or assemblies.