Jacob Chavez, a 23-year-old resident of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, grew up surrounded by the sounds of the Cherokee language. While his grandmother was fluent and his father understood it, Jacob himself didn’t learn Cherokee as a child. Now, recognizing the critical state of the language, he’s actively involved in a groundbreaking program designed to cultivate highly proficient Cherokee speakers. This initiative not only provides free language education but also financially supports participants, acknowledging the dedication required to master a language on the brink of disappearance.
“It’s deeply rooted in my family, and I feel a strong desire to rebuild and strengthen its presence among our younger generation,” Chavez explains. “This passion has been with me since high school. I wanted to reclaim this essential part of my identity, and I’ve been committed to it ever since. After taking language classes in high school and college, this program felt like the perfect next step.”
The Cherokee Language Master Apprentice Program is an intensive immersion experience tailored for adult learners passionate about the Cherokee language. Designed for individuals at the novice level, the program demands a significant commitment: participants engage in 40 hours of study per week for two years. Howard Paden, executive director of the Cherokee Nation Language Department, notes that participants receive $10 per hour as a stipend.
Alt: Jacob Chavez, a young Cherokee man, emphasizes the vital link between language and culture for tribal identity.
“While it’s not a fortune, we’ve learned that consistent, dedicated study is crucial for language acquisition,” Paden states. “This stipend enables individuals to focus primarily on language learning while still managing their living expenses. It’s not about making anyone rich; it’s about providing the necessary support for them to survive and fully immerse themselves in the language. This incentive has proven effective in allowing our students to prioritize their language studies.”
Launched approximately six years ago, the program has witnessed significant growth, expanding from an initial intake of four students annually to sixteen. At full capacity, the two-year program accommodates 32 participants concurrently, according to Paden.
For the Cherokee Nation, the largest tribe in the United States with over 380,000 citizens globally, this program carries immense significance. With only around 2,000 fluent Cherokee speakers remaining, the urgency is palpable. Compounding this crisis, the Nation has lost over 100 speakers in the past year alone, some due to complications from Covid-19.
“Currently, we are losing approximately five percent of our fluent speakers each year,” Paden emphasizes. “We recognize that language acquisition is a lengthy process and that it is no longer being naturally transmitted within our communities.”
This alarming decline in fluent elders was a key factor in the tribe prioritizing them in the initial phases of Covid-19 vaccine distribution. By January 19th, following the first vaccine distribution on December 14th, the Cherokee Nation had administered over 6,500 vaccines, including approximately 900 to Cherokee speakers.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, the Master Apprentice Program has transitioned to online coursework. Chavez acknowledges the challenges of this format, stating, “I’m definitely an in-person learner. This online interface isn’t really my ideal learning environment, but I’ve had to adapt, and I’m committed to doing whatever it takes to learn. It’s a means to an end. If Zoom and a laptop are what it takes, I’ll use them. But I, like many others, would much prefer a traditional classroom setting. However, we’re navigating the current reality.”
In developing the Master Apprentice Program, the Cherokee Nation drew inspiration from several successful language revitalization initiatives. They studied a program within the Sac and Fox Nation, also located in Oklahoma, as well as initiatives undertaken by the Euchee (Yuchi) tribe and the Māori people of New Zealand.
The Cherokee Nation’s reservation encompasses 14 counties in northeastern Oklahoma, including portions of Tulsa County. Discussions are underway to potentially introduce a Cherokee language class at a Tulsa high school. However, Paden acknowledges uncertainty regarding the feasibility of this plan given the ongoing pandemic and the prevalent shift to online learning within both the high school and tribal programs.
Chavez firmly believes in the intrinsic link between language and culture, emphasizing that “those two aspects are inextricably connected. If you lose the language while retaining the culture, it risks becoming more of a historical artifact than a living, breathing tradition. Language is deeply embedded within culture, providing names and context for games, ceremonies, and countless other cultural elements. It’s vital for our Nation and other nations facing language endangerment. We’ve seen a disconnect emerge between elders and youth, partly due to a reluctance to pass on the language in the past. Now, with a growing consensus that we are losing our language, we are actively working to rebuild it. It’s of paramount importance to our future.”
This vital program represents a significant step towards Cherokee language revitalization, offering hope for the preservation of this invaluable cultural treasure for generations to come. By investing in its people and implementing innovative strategies, the Cherokee Nation is demonstrating a powerful commitment to safeguarding its linguistic heritage.
