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  • Cherokee language coach Patrick Rochford, standing, goes over the Cherokee syllabary with students at Grand View School. Daniel Talbot

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April 4, 2011

New program keeps native language alive

Daniel Talbot Special Writer

TAHLEQUAH — One way Cherokees honor their ancestors is through keeping their native language alive.

This year, after-school program coaches at Grand View Elementary School  have been teaching many students to learn the native language as early as kindergarten.

Through a grant offered by the Cherokee Nation, Grand View students who participate in the after-school program are taught the native language according to their grade level and how much they already know.

Participants practice the Cherokee syllabary and learn new words in preparation for competition.

Grand View Superintendent Marcus Crittenden said the program has been in place for about two months, which allows the allowed students to attend the after-school program at no charge, and also provided the funds to start some after-school tutoring, as well as the Cherokee language program.

Prior to receiving the grant, Grand View School had to charge patrons for its after-school program.

“Our program has increased by approximately 60-70 kids per day since we got the grant,” said Crittenden. “We would still be charging our families if it wasn’t for the Cherokee Nation. We greatly appreciate their partnership with us.”

The school has two coaches who teach the children. The syllabary is taught first ,and then flash cards are used to help them memorize the names of animals as they are taught to sound the words out by reading the letters.

Patrick Rochford, Cherokee  language major at Northeastern State University, is one of the coaches, and has been studying the language for five years.

“I [teach] a different grade [level] every day,” said Rochford. “I am a visual learner myself, so that’s how I teach. I will usually go over basic phrases, and then I will use pictures of animals. I’ll also show them media clips in Cherokee.”

Rochford said he learned Cherokee because it was part of his family’s heritage. Working at Grand View and helping with the after-school program is just one way he believes he can give back to the community by passing on his knowledge of the language to a new generation.

Participants in the program attended three competitions in March, and Rochford said he was very happy with how well they did, especially considering it was their first year. The events were held at the Cherokee Nation Complex.

Third-grader Alek Hogshooter competed as team captain of the third- and fourth-grade team, but he knew some Cherokee before he began attending the program.

“Some words I already knew,” said Alek. “My grandpa already taught me some Cherokee.”

Alek’s team took fourth place out of the 18 teams they competed against. Alek said he just wants to learn another language, and hwill keep learning Cherokee.

The students aren’t just learning a second language, but about a culture that is present in the community. The program is a fun way for students to learn about the Cherokee people, and for many of them, it is a part of their heritage.

“I think that it’s always a good thing for kids to be exposed to another language,” said Crittenden. “Particularly if it ties in with their native language that they aren’t familiar with, then I think that is even more significant. Our students have definitely shown a keen interest in the program.”

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