JoAnn and Jeremy

JoAnn and Jeremy Ellis

Chickasaw fluent speaker JoAnn Ellis explains why the mission of language revitalization is so important to her. Jeremy Ellis agrees, stating that the native language faces extinction if it's not shared with and taught to younger Chickasaws. He's proud that his efforts will help keep the language alive.

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Preserving the Language

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Ellen Chapman and Emma McLeod explain that teaching the native language helps to preserve Chickasaw culture and heritage for future generations.

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Stanley Smith and Clovis Hamilton say they’re encouraged by the increasing interest in the revitalization of the Chickasaw language.

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Master-Apprentice
Hannah Corsello says new speakers hold the future of the Chickasaw language in their hands.

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Ellen Chapman expresses her joy at learning her native language from a revered community elder.

A New Generation of Speakers

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Stanley Smith and Clovis Hamilton enjoy learning the varying dialects and pronunciations used by speakers of the Chickasaw language.