{"id":273744,"date":"2025-10-27T00:01:20","date_gmt":"2025-10-27T05:01:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/?p=273744"},"modified":"2025-10-28T20:27:35","modified_gmt":"2025-10-29T01:27:35","slug":"chuck-hoskin-cherokee-nation-keeps-language-alive-for-all-generations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2025\/10\/27\/chuck-hoskin-cherokee-nation-keeps-language-alive-for-all-generations\/","title":{"rendered":"Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation keeps language alive for all generations"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"fb-video\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheCherokeeNation\/videos\/2289020524933261\/\" data-width=\"auto\" data-show-text=\"false\"><blockquote cite=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheCherokeeNation\/videos\/2289020524933261\/\" class=\"fb-xfbml-parse-ignore\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheCherokeeNation\/videos\/2289020524933261\/\"><\/a><p>\ud83d\udd34LIVE: Tune in as Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. signs the Language Incentive Program HR Policy that will increase annual hourly wage for employees who Speak Cherokee at our 7th annual Speakers Gathering!<\/p>Posted by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheCherokeeNation\">Cherokee Nation<\/a> on Thursday, October 23, 2025<\/blockquote><\/div>\r\n<figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">Cherokee Nation: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheCherokeeNation\/videos\/2289020524933261\/\">Seventh Annual First-Language Speakers Gathering in Tahlequah<\/a>\r\n<\/figcaption>\r\n<div class=\"h3-responsive font-weight-bold\">New Cherokee Language Efforts Aimed for All Generations<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"date\">Monday, October 27, 2025<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"byline\">By Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. <A href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ChuckHoskin_Jr\"><I aria-hidden=true class=\"fab fa-twitter\"><\/I><\/A><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"source\">Cherokee Nation<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"source-links\"><A \r\nhref=\"https:\/\/www.cherokee.org\/\">cherokee.org<\/A><\/div>\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nThe Cherokee language is the heart of who we are as a people. It carries our history, our way of life, and the values that connect us across generations. When we speak our language, we honor our ancestors and ensure that future generations can know themselves as Cherokee.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nThis shared mission was at the center of our recent <a href=\"https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/culture-stories\/cherokee-nation-hosts-seventh-annual-first-language-cherokee-speakers-gathering\">Seventh Annual First-Language Speakers Gathering in Tahlequah<\/a>. This celebration, which began in 2019, has become a beloved tradition, a moment to honor our fluent speakers, celebrate our teachers and learners, and renew our commitment to the Cherokee language.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nGuided by the <a href=\"https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/chief-hoskin-signs-permanent-reauthorization-of-historic-durbin-feeling-language-preservation-act\">Durbin Feeling Language Preservation Act<\/a>, we have made the largest language investment in Cherokee history: over $68 million since 2019. This year alone, our language budget totals nearly $25 million, ensuring the next generation of Cherokee speakers grow up surrounded by ample opportunity to learn.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\n<div class=\" content_cards_card content_cards_domain_anadisgoi-com\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"content_cards_image\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"content_cards_image_link\" href=\"https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/culture-stories\/cherokee-nation-hosts-seventh-annual-first-language-cherokee-speakers-gathering\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/06\/speakersgathering1-6.jpg\" alt=\"Cherokee Nation hosts Seventh Annual First-Language Cherokee Speakers Gathering\">\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"content_cards_title\">\n\t\t<a class=\"content_cards_title_link\" href=\"https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/culture-stories\/cherokee-nation-hosts-seventh-annual-first-language-cherokee-speakers-gathering\">\n\t\t\tCherokee Nation hosts Seventh Annual First-Language Cherokee Speakers Gathering\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"content_cards_description\">\n\t\t<a class=\"content_cards_description_link\" href=\"https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/culture-stories\/cherokee-nation-hosts-seventh-annual-first-language-cherokee-speakers-gathering\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"content_cards_site_name\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/favicon.ico\" alt=\"Anadisgoi\" class=\"content_cards_favicon\"\/>\t\tAnadisgoi\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nThis investment is visible across our 7,000-square-mile reservation. The Durbin Feeling Language Center in Tahlequah is the heart of our revitalization efforts. Next door, our Speaker Village provides housing for first-language elders, with a $12 million expansion underway and a second village planned for Adair County. In Tahlequah, a $30 million Immersion Middle School is under construction, bridging the gap between early education and higher learning. We\u2019ve also expanded our Immersion School to Greasy, established a Master\/Apprentice program in Kenwood, and launched an infant immersion program, so that our youngest citizens can speak their first words in Cherokee.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nOur commitment extends to our first-language speaking elders. Through our <a href=\"https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/culture-stories\/cherokee-nation-marks-third-anniversary-of-speaker-services-program\">Speaker Services Program<\/a>, we\u2019ve invested more than $39 million to help fluent speakers live with dignity and comfort. We are expanding programming with a new home health initiative called the Peer Recovery Program, which will hire caregivers who speak Cherokee to provide health care support directly in elders\u2019 homes who are in need. We are dedicating an additional $2.3 million annually through the <a href=\"https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/chief-hoskin-deputy-chief-warner-sign-legislation-to-expand-public-health-and-wellness-fund-act\">Public Health and Wellness Fund Act<\/a> to develop these efforts, as well the continued support <a href=\"https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/culture-stories\/cherokee-nation-provides-800k-to-support-little-cherokee-seeds-program-foster-fluency-in-cherokee-language\">of Little Cherokee Seeds<\/a>, a partner program operated locally by the American Indian Resource Center.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nInnovation is another pillar of our mission. Two new Cherokee language apps are helping citizens everywhere learn the language. One is based on the New Testament and the other app features the <a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.kiwadigital.cherokeedictionary.app&amp;pli=1\">Cherokee Dictionary<\/a> created by the late linguistic pioneer Durbin Feeling. Our language is also being amplified through film and television, with major productions like <a href=\"https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/culture-stories\/cherokee-nation-partners-with-dreamworks-and-nbcuniversal-to-dub-how-to-train-your-dragon-in-cherokee-language\">\u201cHow to Train Your Dragon\u201d<\/a> and Amazon\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/culture-stories\/cherokee-nation-to-dub-prime-video-content-in-cherokee\">\u201cThe Rings of Power\u201d<\/a> now available to stream completely in Cherokee.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nDeputy Secretary of State Canaan Duncan, himself a proficient second-language learner who studied our Cherokee language at the university level and heard the language being spoken by his first-language fluent-speaking kin growing up, is leading an effort near and dear to all of our hearts. Next year Deputy Secretary Duncan and a team in our language department will release a hard bound and digital edition of our Cherokee Nation Constitution in English and Cherokee.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTheCherokeeNation%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02nGX9ZVV4Zdui9Dddw84WByjaQkF4HmDUqgsm46Ux3hJWRbKRmxgp88DjDAvcAq6Zl&#038;show_text=true&#038;width=500\" width=\"500\" height=\"746\" style=\"border:none;overflow:hidden\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share\"><\/iframe>\r\n<p><\/p>\r\nInside our tribal government, a new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/watch\/live\/?ref=watch_permalink&amp;v=2289020524933261&amp;rdid=5Qu7NMcXcc73GhCa\">Human Resources policy<\/a> rewards employees who pursue Cherokee language proficiency with bonuses and pay raises. This policy ensures that our language is valued in the workplace, not just in classrooms.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nEven our newest Cherokee Nation food truck supports language preservation. It serves more than meals; it creates opportunities for workforce training and conversational learning. Each stop becomes a mini classroom, where citizens and employees can practice speaking Cherokee in daily life.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nSix years ago, at our inaugural Cherokee speakers gathering, I feared our language was endangered. Today, I know it is on a visible path to revitalization. Through Gadugi, our cherished traditional Cherokee value of working together, we are building a future where the Cherokee language is strong. Every word we speak, every student we teach, and every elder we honor moves us forward.\r\n<P><\/P>\r\n<HR><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-md-3\">\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/23\/chuckhoskinavatar.jpg\" alt=\"Chuck Hoskin Jr\" width=\"140\" height=\"140\" class=\"rounded-circle\" \/><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"col-md-9\"><EM><A href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ChuckHoskin_Jr\">Chuck Hoskin Jr.<\/A> \r\nis the 18th elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, the largest Indian \r\ntribe in the United States. He is only the second elected Principal Chief of the \r\nCherokee Nation from Vinita, the first being Thomas Buffington, who served from \r\n1899-1903. Prior to being elected Principal Chief, Hoskin served as the tribe\u2019s \r\nSecretary of State. He also formerly served as a member of the Council of the \r\nCherokee Nation, representing District 11 for six years.<\/EM><\/div><\/div><HR>\r\n<img src=https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/29\/CherokeeNation.jpg width=0 height=0 class=invisible>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Cherokee language is the heart of who we are as a people.","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":273804,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_vp_format_video_url":"","_vp_image_focal_point":[],"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18,9],"tags":[1840,77,76,128,110,40,696,175,138,127,109,102],"class_list":["post-273744","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education","category-opinion","tag-canaan-duncan","tag-cherokee","tag-chuck-hoskin","tag-elders","tag-film","tag-food","tag-housing","tag-languages","tag-meetings","tag-oklahoma","tag-tv","tag-youth","no-wpautop"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/29\/CherokeeNation.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pcoJ7g-19de","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/273744","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=273744"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/273744\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":273805,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/273744\/revisions\/273805"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/273804"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=273744"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=273744"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=273744"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}