By Media Relations Department
Chickasaw Nation Media Relations Office
Chepota Chikasha Anumpoli language club students pose after receiving first place in the third through fifth grade group spoken language category at the sixth annual Oklahoma Native American Youth Language Fair.
Chepota Chikasha Anumpoli language club students pose after receiving first place in the third through fifth grade group spoken language category at the sixth annual Oklahoma Native American Youth Language Fair.
The Chickasaw Nation Chepota Chikasha Anumpoli (children speaking Chickasaw) language club received first place in the third through fifth grade group spoken language category at the sixth annual Oklahoma Native American Youth Language Fair.
On Monday, March 31 at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, Oklahoma, language club students performed the skit Chikasha Sipokni Osapa Ahunta Mitcha Im-eho Bunna (Old Chickasaw Lives on a Farm and Wants a Wife). The skit was about a Chickasaw farmer who is looking for a wife. The setting was a barnyard atmosphere with students dressed as cows, dogs, pigs and mice. The students performed the skit using only the Chickasaw language, bringing home first place honors.
Chepota Chikasha Anumpoli students included Jesse Clark, Stratford; Trevor Clark, Stratford; Maycee Davis, Ada; Johnathon Delfrate, Ada; Sunzie Harrison, Ada; Taylor Harrison, Ada; Danya Impson, Ada; Lauren John, Ada; Kendra Smith, Ada; Chelsea Wedlow, Allen; Thirkiel Wedlow, Allen; and Colton Wilson, Ada.
"It is great to see young children learning the Chickasaw language and taking pride in their culture," said Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby. "We congratulate the students in their participation and accomplishments during the Oklahoma Native American Youth language fair."
Other Chickasaw students participating in the fair included Jolie and Kelsey Morgan and Thirkel and Chelsea Wedlow. Jolie and Kelsey Morgan placed second with their production of Choctaw Cheers in the group language performance with music and dance category. The Morgan sisters also received second place in the third through fifth grade book category. Thirkel and Chelsea Wedlow performed in the third through fifth grade group language performance singing Choctaw Hymns.
Twenty Chickasaw Nation Madill Head Start students presented their own production of "The Thirsty Buffalo" which is an adaptation of the book, "The Thirsty Moose" by David Orme. The students portrayed animals and scenery while speaking in Chickasaw. Madill Head Start students included Ellary Awalt, Selena Bautista, Dakota Beshirs, Brylee Bruster, Sagrario Camacho, Angel Campos-Vargas, Carina Castaneda, Fernanda Hernandez, Angel Hernandez-Estrada, Zoey Hillsberry, Haylee Howard, Gracie Jones, Shylee Kenedy, Jharyrimiel Marquez, Conner Mathis, Rafael Quiroz Jr., Andrea Segura, Reyes Silva, Misti Tynes and Kaylee Young.
"Language Lives in Laughter" was the theme for the 2008 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's competition nearly doubled its registration with more than 1,000 students, parents and chaperons involved in the event, compared to approximately 600 for the 2007 Youth Language Fair.
For more information about the Youth Language Fair, visit http://www.snomnh.ou.edu/ or visit www.chickasaw.net/cca for additional information about the Chepota Chikasha Anumpoli language club.
