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Children in the Cherokee Nation Immersion Class compete at the Native American Youth Language Fair in Norman, Oklahoma.

NORMAN, OKLAHOMA - Cherokee children recently showcased their ability to speak their native language at a state-wide native language competition. The University of Oklahoma sponsors the annual Native American Youth Language Fair and Poster Contest as a way for Native American youth to actively participate in and have a valid reason to study their culture.

"The fair is important because it highlights the hard work and accomplishments of the students who are learning their Native languages and the teachers, who put out an extraordinary amount of time, effort, and their own money, to teach the classes," said Mary S. Linn, Native American languages assistant professor for the University of Oklahoma.

Cherokee children brought home first place awards in the spoken language competition in both the pre-kindergarten through second grade division and the high school division. Students in the Cherokee Nation Immersion pre-school class won first place as well as a team of students from Sequoyah High School.

"The Cherokee Nation has come a long way in the revitalization of our language," said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. "This proves that our children are not only learning to speak the language, but are becoming very good at it and will lead us to a promising future and continue the legacy of the Cherokee language."

"The fair itself does not help students learn their languages, but it does give them motivation to practice, and it hopefully helps them with self-esteem and confidence to use their languages," Linn said.

The Cherokee Nation began efforts to revitalize the language in 2001 with the opening of the first pre-school Cherokee immersion classroom. It then expanded to include an immersion kindergarten class at Lost City Elementary School and most recently a four-year degree program at Northeastern State University (NSU) to certify Cherokee speakers as state-accredited teachers. Cherokee Nation employees have the opportunity to attend Cherokee language classes during work hours and the Cherokee Nation offers numerous community language classes, including an on-line language class.

"Being able to speak Cherokee is like seeing the world in color versus black and white," Smith said. "It increases the quality of life and brings a whole new perspective."

"For so many years those who knew the language were ridiculed for speaking their native tongue," said Valerie Patterson, a parent whose child is the Cherokee immersion class. "These children are filled with confidence and pride, elements that have been absent from the Cherokee people for generations. The immersion children are very proud of their accomplishments and they should be."

For more information on the Cherokee Nation Immersion pre-school program, please call Harry Oosahwee, phone: 918-458-4404.

Related Cherokee Nation contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org