"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Cherokees Offer Community Language Classes

TAHLEQUAH, Oklahoma - The Cherokee Nation is offering free community language classes this spring at various locations throughout its jurisdiction. The classes are open to the public and will run for ten weeks each.

“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.”

Locations, start dates and sign-up information are as follows:

Adair County:
A class will be held on Mondays at Fairfield at the Community Building starting Monday, March 2, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. The instructor is George Stop. To enroll, call Louann Collins, phone: 918-797-7932.

Another Monday class will be held in the Rocky Mountain school cafeteria, also beginning on March 2, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The instructor is Marie Eubanks. To sign up for the Rocky Mountain class, call Jewel Milsap, phone: 918-696-3654.

Marie Eubanks will also instruct a class in Stilwell on Thursday nights at the Indian Capital Vo-Tech Center, beginning March 5 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. To sign up for the Stilwell class, call Jimmy Gilstrap, phone: 918-696-3111.

Delaware County:
Rufus King will instruct a class in Jay at the Round Springs Church on Monday nights. Class will begin on Monday, March 2, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. To enroll, contact Betty King, phone: 918-253-7658.

Mayes County:
A Thursday nights class will be held in Salina at the Salina First Baptist Fellowship Hall with Sandra Turner as the instructor. Class will begin on Thursday, March 5, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. To enroll, call Bridge Chuckluck, phone: 918-864-2160.

Sequoyah County:
In Sequoyah County a class will be held in the Belfonte School eighth grade classroom on Tuesday nights. Class will begin on Tuesday, March 24, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and will be instructed by Jim Henson. To sign up for the class, contact Paul Pinkerton, phone: 918-427-3522.

Washington County:
A class will begin on Monday, March 2, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Dewey at the Dewey Adult Center located at 300 E. Angus to be held on consecutive on Monday nights. It will be instructed by Bill Foster. To enroll in the class, contact Jessica Hoss, phone: 918-333-0306.

The Cherokee Nation Cultural Resource Center, which is sponsoring the class, provides services and information that works to revitalize Cherokee language and heritage. The language course is a part of the Cherokee Nation’s culture and history initiative that will help to preserve the Cherokee language.