Preservation
Speaking and Sharing the Language Keeps It Alive
By speaking and sharing the language, Chickasaw people are ensuring its survival for many years to come. Here, discover how Chickasaw linguists and elders are working to preserve their ancestral tongue.
19 Items
Illustrator Promotes Language
PreservationChickasaw Lauren John uses her passion and creativity to illustrate traditional tribal stories that promote learning the Chickasaw language.
The Voices of Our Ancestors
S1 • E2For centuries, Chickasaw passed down their sacred stories in their native tongue as oral histories, keeping the voices of their ancestors alive.
Preserving the Language
Emma McLeod and Ellen ChapmanEllen Chapman and Emma McLeod explain that teaching the native language helps to preserve Chickasaw culture and heritage for future generations.
The Timeless Dish of Pashofa
A Chickasaw Culinary TraditionPashofa is a traditional Chickasaw & Choctaw dish made from cracked corn, or hominy, and stewed pork.
Picking Wild Onions
A Chickasaw Culinary TraditionNative Americans, and Chickasaws in particular, have a rich history of using wild onions in their cooking.
Chickasaw as a Living Language
Lisa BillyThough some Native American languages have been lost, Chickasaw continues to thrive as a living language.
Importance of My Native Language
Lisa BillyWhen Lisa Billy's children reached school age, she knew they would never be taught the history of their own people if they went to public school.
Survival of the Chickasaw Language
Catherine Willmond and Pamela MunroChickasaw is an endangered language, but its chances of survival are much better thanks to the life's work of fluent speaker Catherine Willmond.
Joshua Hinson
S7 • E6Joshua Hinson, Director of the Department of Chickasaw Language, is passionate about language and how it emulates culture.
Hearing Elders Speaking Chickasaw
Lisa BillyLisa Billy recalls growing up, hearing a large group of elders speaking and praying in Chickasaw, and how it ignited her desire to learn it.
Reviving the Chickasaw Language
Joshua HinsonJoshua Hinson talks about the efforts to revitalization the Chickasaw language.
The Chickasaw Language Committee
Joshua HinsonThe Chickasaw Language Committee was organized in the 1990s and is comprised of fluent speakers appointed by the Governor.
New Words: The Language Evolves
Joshua HinsonJoshua Hinson explains how the Language Committee creates new words & how the vocabulary has developed over time through language revitalization.
Joshua Hinson's Goal to Become Fluent
The Chickasaw NationJoshua Hinson expresses his goal of becoming a fluent speaker of the Chickasaw language.
Drawn to Our Language
Joshua HinsonJoshua Hinson describes his fine arts background and explains how he became drawn to art history and native language revitalization.
Sharing Our Language Connects Us
Lisa BillyChickasaw speaker Lisa Billy observes that when visitors at the Cultural Center see Chickasaw words around campus it prompts other phrases.
Using the Language to Engage Audiences
Lisa BillyTeaching a class, Lisa has used her ability to speak Chickasaw to regain students' attention.
A Linguist's Appreciation of the Chickasaw Language
Pamela MunroPamela Munro is a linguistics professor at University of California at Los Angeles.
JoAnn Ellis: Teacher of the Chickasaw Language
JoAnn EllisJoAnn Ellis remembers learning both Chickasaw and English beginning in her early youth.
One Tribe One Mission
"Our mission to enhance the overall quality of life of the Chickasaw people will continue to serve as our guidepost as we work together to build an even brighter future"
Bill Anoatubby, Governor
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