"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Cherokee Nation Hosts Language Fair

"The Cherokee Nation is consistently working to revitalize the Cherokee language. In this photo, members of the Cherokee Nation Immersion class participate in a recent language competition held
in Norman, Oklahoma."

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee Nation recently held a Cherokee Language Fair in conjunction with the 35th Annual Symposium on the American Indian held at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK.

“The Cherokee Nation was proud to sponsor the language fair,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “Language revitalization is very important in maintaining our cultural identity. We are proud of these children and their teachers for their efforts and dedication in passing down the Cherokee language to future generations of Cherokees. We look forward to sponsoring other language fairs in the future.”

Students from grades preschool to 12 were invited to participate in the language fair. Individuals and groups prepared presentations in Cherokee and were judged by a panel of professionals, including Cherokee actor Wes Studi. Presentations were limited to five minutes in length and could be presented through stories, narratives, poetry, monologues, essay, speech, skits, dramas, dialogues, puppet shows and power points with live student narration. Participants were judged on the amount of Cherokee used, the ease of the language used, the spirit of the performance, presentation and poise. A poster contest was also held, in which students prepared an original poster art that depicted the theme “Why the Cherokee Language is Important.”

First place in the poster contest went to Christie Blair Tiger, second place went to Hillary Spicer of Grove School and the third place award was given to Lisan Tiger Blair.

In the language in song category for pre-k through second grade the Cherokee Nation Immersion Pre-k group was awarded first place, second place was awarded to Chelbie Turtle and third place went to Cheyenne DrowingBear. In the third through fifth grade division of the language in song category the Marble City Warriors won first place and Terin Fletcher of Stilwell School was awarded second. In the sixth through eighth grade division the Kenwood Choir was awarded first place, second place went to Grove Middle School and Tahlequah Middle School won the third place award.

In the spoken language presentation pre-k through second grade division, the Cherokee Nation Immersion first grade took home the first place award, second place went to the Cherokee Nation Immersion Pre-K class and Cree DrowningBear was awarded third place. In the sixth through eighth grade division, first place was awarded to the Christie and Lisan Show and second place went to Grove Middle School.

According to acclaimed film star and Cherokee citizen Wes Studi, language is important to the Cherokee way of life and events such as the language fair and programs like the Cherokee Nation Immersion Program is a good thing.

“The waters still run, yes they do,” said Studi. “We see evidence of this in the voices of the students. They will grow and affect the world in a positive way. I believe that immersion schools are a wonderful thing. I wish that such a program had been available in my educational days. In the 21st century, we see that people who can speak more than one language are capable of bettering themselves in a world that requires change. It is a good thing that the Cherokee Nation has begun to implement programs that teach the Cherokee language to young generations of Cherokees.”