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Eastern Cherokees work to preserve language
Thursday, July 13, 2006
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is working with Western Carolina University to keep the Cherokee language alive.
A recent survey showed that 72 percent of fluent Cherokee were more than 50 years old. “Since January of 2005 to this month, we have probably lost over 30 fluent speakers,” Renissa Walker, manager of the Kituwah Preservation and Education Program, told The Asheville Citizen-Times.
To reverse the trend, the tribe and WCU are developing a language immersion program and expanding other language efforts. They hope to find fluent speakers to teach a new generation of fluent speakers who will be able to continue teaching Cherokee.
Get the Story:
Eastern Band-WCU effort pushes Cherokee language renaissance
(The Asheville Citizen-Times 7/13)
Relevant Links:
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians -
http://www.cherokee-nc.com
Related Stories:
Eastern Cherokees go bilingual with road
signs (05/13)
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