NORMAN
Most of the audience couldnt understand the language,
but they certainly knew what was going on Tuesday when Cushing High
School students presented "Sauc Pre-K in 2011 at the
seventh annual Oklahoma Native American Youth Language Fair at Sam
Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History.
Despite
the language barrier, the content of the skit was universal.
"It
was about stuff that would normally happen in a pre-K class,
Sydney Gabbard, a Cushing High School senior, said. "The language
we were speaking was Sauc.
The
students, members of the Native American Student Association, took
first place in the spoken word category.
Gabbard
said the weeks of preparation were worth it. "Its fun,
she said. "Its a chance to compete and learn more about
our language.
Carly
Williams, a junior from New Lima, participated in the fair for the
first time this year.
Her
group also competed in the spoken word category, singing the Muscogee
(Creek) alphabet in their native language.
More
than 500 participants, in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, attended
the language fair Monday and Tuesday at the museum. Coming from
Oklahoma and other states, they competed in categories such as spoken
word, dance, music, film and essay.
The
event is the largest American Indian youth language fair in the
country, featuring an estimated 24 languages.
Candessa
Tehee Morgan, coordinator of the fair, said the event gives students
a chance to learn and practice their native language.
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