Copyright © 2006 NLThomas
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News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2006 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – Three Cherokee Nation kindergarten immersion students, Cheyenne Drowningbear, Cree Drowningbear and Chelbie Turtle, competed in the fourth annual Oklahoma Native American Youth Language Fair held Thursday, March 23, at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History on the University of Oklahoma campus in Norman. Cherokee Nation Industries is a sponsor of the fair.
Native Cherokee speakers Cheyenne Drowningbear, Chelbie Turtle, and Cree Drowningbear recently attended the fourth annual Oklahoma Native American Youth Language Fair, held at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History on the University of Oklahoma campus in Norman. 
Cheyenne, age 6, placed first in the pre-K through second grade Spoken Language Individual division. She sang the “Trail of Tears” song at the competition after only a few weeks of practice.
Cree, age 4, read three books in Cherokee.
“The Cherokee language is important to maintaining our cultural heritage and identity. Through our language immersion program, our community language classes, and the Cherokee education program at Northeastern State University, we are working diligently to teach our future generations our native tongue. The Cherokee language enhances the quality of life of our people,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.
“My girls represented the Cherokee people, and they really enjoy maintaining their Cherokee culture and tradition. They LOVE being Cherokee,” said Charlie Drowningbear, mother of Cheyenne and Cree. “I also want to thank Cherokee Nation Industries for its sponsorship of this event.”
Cree and Cheyenne are the daughters of Charlie and Greg Drowningbear of Tahlequah.
Chelbie, age 5, placed second in a combined category of individuals and groups in the pre-K through second grade Language with Song/Dance. She placed second in the individual section of this category last year also. For her presentation, Chelbie sang three songs, the “O-Si-O” song, “Orphan Child” and “Amazing Grace.”
Chelbie is the reigning Little Miss Cherokee for three and four year olds. As the current Little Miss Cherokee, Chelbie is frequently asked to sing before large groups. She also speaks Cherokee at home with her mother as much as is practical.
“I think that if Chelbie had not been in the Cherokee immersion classes, she would not have done as well as she has at the language fair,” said Lisa Trice-Turtle, Chelbie’s mother. “She’s done well in the classes and has made steady progress in speaking, reading and writing Cherokee. I am very pleased with both the immersion classes and the program itself. These classes help preserve our Cherokee language.”
Chelbie is the daughter of Lisa Trice-Turtle and Jeff Turtle of Tahlequah.
All three girls are students of Nora Birdtail and Mary Pettit.
Cherokee Nation Industries sponsored Cheyenne and Cree and covered their travel expenses to the fair.
The language fair is a statewide competition that draws more than 350 participants who compete in as many as 18 Native American languages. Native artists, authors, elders and language teachers from different tribes act as judges in the different categories. Performances are judged not on strict language accuracy but on how much the native language is used, the spirit of the performance itself and effort.
More information on the language fair is available by visiting online, or by contacting Dr. Mary Linn, Assistant Curator of Native Languages, at the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History, by phone: 405-325-7588 or by email.
| 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 |
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 |
