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TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – The Cherokee Nation will be offering a series of Cherokee language classes beginning in March in several Oklahoma communities. “The Cherokee language is important to maintaining our cultural heritage and identity,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “Through our community language classes we are working diligently to teach our future generations our native tongue. The Cherokee language enhances the quality of life of our people.” The language classes will be taught by staff of the Cherokee Nation Cultural Resource Center, which provides services and information that works to revitalize Cherokee language and heritage. The language course is a part of the culture and history initiative that will help to preserve the Cherokee language. “We try to teach a basic words and phrases that help the students to develop a comfort level in Cherokee,” Marilyn Cochran, language instructor. “While we can’t make a participant fluent in the language in ten weeks, we do provide a good foundation for understanding. In addition, we encourage students to take our other advanced courses to continue to progress in the Cherokee language. You really need to speak Cherokee everyday to a better more fluent level of comprehension.” The language classes are open to the public. Each class will run for ten weeks and will allow the public an opportunity to learn the native tongue of the Cherokee. Class times and locations include: * Colcord-Moseley School, Language Arts Classroom Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., beginning March 6 * Tailholt-Tailholt Community Center Mondays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., beginning March 27 * Salina- Blue Springs Baptist Church Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., beginning March 1 * South Coffeyville- South Coffeyville Community Center Mondays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., beginning March 5 * Stilwell-Marietta School, Boys and Girls Club-room Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., beginning March 8 * Woodall-Woodall Public Schools Tuesdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., beginning March 6 * Gore-Gore Municipal Building, conference room Mondays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., beginning March 5 * Vinita-Cherokee Nation’s Housing Authority, room 31-B Tuesdays from 6:30 pm. To 8:30 p.m., beginning March 6 * Oaks-Oaks Mission School, classroom number 2 Tuesdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., beginning March 6 * Jay-Jay Community Library Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., beginning March 22 For more information regarding the community language classes, contact Ryan Mackey, phone: 918-453-5153 or Dr. Gloria Sly, phone: 918-453-5152.

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