The Cherokee Immersion Charter School fourth-grade class won first place for singing “Eternal Sabbath,” which is a traditional Cherokee song brought from North Carolina. Shown are students Isabella Sierra, Ahnawake McCoy, Logan Oosahwe, Maleah Bird, Isaiah Walema and Jenna Dunn with Cherokee teacher Meda Nix. (courtesy photo)

NORMAN, OK – Cherokee Immersion Charter School students recently took home 18 trophies during the 14th annual Oklahoma Native Youth Language Fair for their use of the Cherokee language in verbal outlets.

The students competed in spoken language, modern and traditional song, spoken prayer, spoken poetry, short film and a poster contest.

The Native American Language department at the University of Oklahoma’s Sam Noble Museum hosted the competition that celebrates the use of Native languages in traditional and modern ways.

According to a CN press release, the school won nine first-place trophies, six second-place trophies and three third-place trophies.

“Every day our students are in the classroom learning to speak, read and write the same language as their ancestors so that we ensure it carries on,” Immersion School Principal Holly Davis said. “This competition allows our students to show the public their language proficiency and the pride in their culture, so we are excited to participate each year.”

Dan Swan, interim curator for Native American Languages at the Sam Noble Museum, said this year they had 1,100 students compete. He added that it was the largest number of students to compete in the Native language competition so far.

Swan said the two-day event also set a record high with nearly 3,400 people in attendance.

“There were dozens of languages represented, and the fair has become a key part of our identity in the Native community,” said Swan. “The fair has a huge support base, from financial sponsors to all the judges who come from tribal communities, and who are speakers, that work with us for months to make it happen.”