"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Tribe hosts Cherokee Language Fair

"Cherokee actor Wes Studi congratulates Cree DrowningBear
for winning third place in the Language in Song category during the Cherokee Language Fair."
(Photo by Will Chavez)

TAHLEQUAH, Oklahoma – Area students recently participated in a Cherokee Language Fair hosted by the Cherokee Nation in conjunction with the 35th Annual Symposium on the American Indian at Northeastern State University.

Pre-school through 12th grade students were invited to participate in the language fair. Individuals and groups entertained parents and teachers with their presentations in Cherokee and were judged by panels of Cherokee speakers. Presentations were limited to five minutes and were presented through stories, essays, speeches, skits, dialogue and puppet shows. Participants were judged on the amount of Cherokee used, the ease of use of the language, the spirit of the performance, presentation and poise.

“The language fair was organized as a way to permit children to demonstrate the language skills they possess. It was a success. The students used complex language skills and utilized those skills creatively. The children’s behavior demonstrated their pride in their knowledge of Cherokee,” Dr. Gloria Sly, CN Cultural Resource Center director, said. “I can see that in future language fairs students will participate in debate, give orations, author stories, write plays and new songs (in Cherokee). We hope that the Cherokee language teachers and sponsors will put this on their calendars for next year.”

An obvious sign the immersion system is working came during intermissions when the judges were tallying their scores. Audience members were offered the chance to come up to the stage to sing or otherwise entertain the audience during the intermissions. Each time students from the immersion classes ran to the stage eager to sing songs in Cherokee individually and in groups.

In the Language in Song category for pre-kindergarten through second grade the CN Immersion pre-kindergarten group was awarded first place as Chelbi Turtle of Vinita won second place and third place went to Cheyenne DrowningBear. In the third grade through fifth grade division, the Marble City Warriors won first place as Terin Fletcher of Stilwell School was awarded second. In the sixth grade through eighth grade division, the Kenwood Choir won first place; second place went to Grove Middle School and Tahlequah Middle School won third place.

In the Spoken Language presentations for pre-kindergarten through second grade division, the CN Immersion first grade took home the top award, while second place went to the CN Immersion pre-kindergarten class and Cree DrowningBear won third place. In the sixth grade through eighth grade division, first place was awarded to the Christie and Lisan Show as second place went to Grove Middle School.

A poster contest was also held where students depicted the theme of “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 as the third place award was given to Lisan Tiger Blair.

Cherokee actor Wes Studi watched the performances and presented the students with their awards. He also posed for photos with the students after the language fair ended. As a Cherokee speaker, Studi said language is important to the Cherokee way of life and that events such as the language fair and programs such as the CN Immersion Program are important.

“I believe that immersion schools are a wonderful thing. 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,” Studi said.