By Carrie Bradshaw-Buckley, Media Relations Specialist
Chickasaw Nation Media Relations Office

The Chickasaw Nation Division of History and Culture used a unique combination of sports and language immersion to educate Chickasaw youth at the Himitta Alhiha Hochokoshkomo (The Youth Are Playing) Language Sports Camp, conducted August 4-5, 2009 at Carter Seminary Gym in Ardmore, Okla. 

"This year's camp was a great success," said Teresa McDonald, Chickasaw Studies office coordinator and facilitator of Himitta Alhiha Hochokoshkomo.  "The participants really enjoyed learning in an active sport setting and left wanting to learn more."

Chickasaw students, grades one through 12, participated in various sports each day, including stickball, soccer, baseball and basketball. Chickasaw was spoken during the entire camp, encouraging participants to learn and use basic sports and team-related phrases and words.

Lone Grove freshman Robert Johnson said that learning and using words while playing sports was helpful.
"It was a good combination of learning and fun," he said. "After a little bit, I automatically started associating Chickasaw words with the different actions."

Himitta Alhiha Hochokoshkomo Chickasaw Language Sports Camp is one of the many language programs offered by the Chickasaw Nation to their youth in an effort to revitalize and preserve their native language.

For more information on future Language Sports Camps or other language programs, contact the Chickasaw Studies office at (580) 272-5310.