By Carrie Bradshaw-Buckley, Media Relations Specialist
Chickasaw Nation Media Relations Office
Members of Chipota Chikashshanompoli, the Chickasaw language club, perform their winning skit, “Chikashsha Imafammi Ishtasha (Chickasaw Birthday Party)”, at the 2009 Oklahoma Native American Youth Language Fair in Norman, Okla.
Chickasaw speaking students had another successful year at the seventh annual Oklahoma Native American Youth Language Fair, April 6-7 at the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History in Norman, OK.
“We are proud of our students for representing the Chickasaw Nation and our language so well,” said Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby. “It is wonderful that they are so interested in learning their native language and keeping it alive.”
Chipota Chikashshanompoli (Children Speaking Chickasaw), the Chickasaw Nation’s language club for students ages three to 12, took first place in both the third through fifth grade Large Group Spoken Language and Large Group Music/Dance categories.
Participating language club members were Cuterra Love, Terrysha Banner, Chelsea Wedlow, Lauren John, Colton Wilson, Johnathan DelFrate, Samantha Chapman, Nukne Greenwood, Anna Mae Palmer, Jairus Smith, Levi Hinson, Sean Cooke, Kelly Cooke, Chris Anglin, Zoe Allen, Jolie Morgan, Kelsey Morgan, Christian Siegle and Reese Siegle.
Other Chickasaw students were entered in the competition, including Thirkiel Wedlow, who tied for first in the sixth through eighth grade Individual Spoken Language category. Brook, Katy, Skye and Dale Shackleford, Purcell, took first place in the ninth through twelfth grade Small Group Spoken Language Category. Katy Shackleford also placed third in the illustrative book category.
“Giving the Gift of Language” was the theme for the 2009 Oklahoma Native American Youth Language Fair. Participants of all ages demonstrated language skills as groups or individuals in the spoken language and language with music or dance categories.
This year, Oklahoma Native American Youth Language fair had more than 900 competition entries, representing 22 Native languages.
For more information about the Oklahoma Native American Youth Language Fair, visit http://www.snomnh.ou.edu/ or visit www.chickasaw.net/cca for additional information about the Chipota Chikashshanompoli language club.
