Cherokee Nation, NSU Announce Degree in Cherokee Education
The Cherokee Nation presented NSU with a framed print of Sequoyah for their commitment to help revitalize the Cherokee language by starting a new degree program in Cherokee education. From left to right: Phyllis Yargee, Cherokee Nation Tribal Council member, Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation and Larry Williams, president of NSU.
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - The Cherokee Nation and Northeastern State University are working together to provide Cherokee speaking students with the opportunity to earn a degree to prepare them to work as K-12 teachers in public schools.
"This is a great achievement," said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. "The Cherokee education degree supports our long-range goal to revitalize the Cherokee language. Young Cherokees want to learn their language and by certifying language teachers we can give our kids the chance to study their language in public schools as well as at home. I thank our education team for their research and I commend the University for recognizing the need for this degree."
The Bachelor of Arts in Education in Cherokee Education degree is believed to be the nation’s only four-year degree offered in a native language. The program is scheduled to begin this fall and courses will include Elementary Cherokee I, Conversational Cherokee I, Intermediate Cherokee I, Cherokee Conversational Practicum and Cherokee Cultural Heritage.
"I think the public schools will be more accepting of a certified teacher teaching their students Cherokee," said Phyllis Yargee, school teacher and Cherokee Nation Tribal Council member representing Sequoyah County. "I also think that a lot of people who speak Cherokee may realize that they have something to give to these students. There is nothing more heartfelt than watching our children speak their native language."
"Northeastern and the Cherokee Nation share a long and rich heritage," said Larry Williams, NSU President. "From our roots as the Cherokee National Female Seminary to our leadership role as Oklahoma’s premier regional university, NSU is committed to developing and offering quality undergraduate programs which meet the changing needs of the student population and the communities we serve. The NSU Cherokee Education degree is another step toward preserving our Cherokee heritage."
For more information about the Bachelor of Arts in Education in Cherokee Education, contact the NSU College of Liberal Arts at (918) 456-5511, ext 3600.
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Special thanks to Cindy McWilliams for this report.
April Reports
Last updated on April 08, 2005