Using the Cherokee Language

CLE in Tribal Early Learning Settings: Cherokee Language

Interviewer: Just tell me a little bit about the importance of teaching the heritage language to children.

Dolly Raper: Oh. Oh, okay.  Well, just like I said, you know, a lot of people say it's dying out. So, you know, and like I said, there are still elders, you know, that don't quite understand English. And they couldn't communicate with each other, you know, for that reason. So ... And I think that's why it's so important. And, you know, like the immersion classes they have, I have my ... you know, you can teach and you can bring them in and teach them, but if their parents aren't fluent at home, you know, where are they going to use it?

Interviewer: Right. Right.

Dolly: So, you know. And they always said, like ... Well, like my grandkids now, and that's where I fail, you know, in that I didn't teach him young like we were taught, you know? And so now that ... They say, "Grandma, teach us to talk Cherokee." I said okay. So, what I try to do is teach them, like, basic, like they have in there, you know. "I'm hungry." [Speaking Cherokee] You know? You know, just phrase it like that. [Speaking Cherokee] you know, and what I think they might be asked by the elder.

Interviewer: Oh, okay.

Dolly: So ... And I always ... You know, like ... They always said that if you teach them one thing, they learn it, they'll never use it again in English. That way, they keep it.

Interviewer: Oh, okay. Okay.

Dolly: So, that's what I try to do. But yeah, I think it's very important, you know? So ...

Interviewer: So, how do you spend your time here using the heritage language with the children?

Dolly: Oh, just, you know, different things, like, you know, like, we come outside. And if I say, you know, "car," you know, I try to tell them, you know, "This is how you say 'car.' " [Speaking Cherokee] You know? And then ... You know, and then in there, you know, when they were counting, I said, "Well, count like Miss Dory teaches you." You know, just kind of reinforce what, you know, they're being taught here.

Interviewer: Right. So, you were telling me a story about a Cherokee lullaby that you sing. Do you sing that to the children here?

Dolly: Yeah. I have ... My kids were in a choir that sang in Cherokee, the Cherokee language.

Interviewer: Oh, okay.

Dolly: Yes. And that's been probably about 20 years ago. They even had the opportunity to go to Japan and sing.

Interviewer: Oh, nice.

Dolly: Yeah. And then my grandkids now sing in Cherokee, and that's how my youngest granddaughter, you know, won the Little Cherokee Miss Ambassador. She sang in Cherokee.

Interviewer: Oh.

Dolly: So, yeah. Uh huh.

Interviewer: So, do you have opportunities to come in here and teach them?

Dolly: Well, they ... Not no songs or anything. Just, you know, yeah.

Interviewer: Little words here and there.

Dolly: Yeah, yeah, just the basic words and, you know, like, stuff like that.

Interviewer: So, are there things about the Cherokee heritage that you feel are really important for young children to learn?

Dolly: Well ... You mean as far as ... Yeah, I think it's important that they know the culture, the heritage, you know, the beliefs, you know, and ... Even though a lot of the beliefs probably have, you know, kind of wended out. But I still think it's important, you know, to know where they came from.

Interviewer: Right.

Dolly: You know. Yeah.

Interviewer: Right.

Dolly: So ...

Interviewer: Anything else you want to tell us about the heritage language and your work here as a volunteer?

Dolly: Well, I know that Head Start's really helpful. I can tell that. You know? My oldest daughter didn't attend Head Start, but the other three did. They all attended Head Start, and my grandchildren. And, you know, there are still some that's still in Head Start. [Laughs] [Laughs]

Interviewer: Yes.

Dolly: But anyway, yeah, I think it's just so good because, you know, like I said, you know, sometimes they're so bashful, you know, withdrawn, and then when they do come to Head Start, you know, they have the, you know, socializing with the children and, you know, everything, and, you know, that just really opens them up. And like I said, when I worked over here, you could tell. I wasn't in the classroom because I was the secretary, but I usually was in the cafeteria and stuff. And, like, on the first day of school, you could really tell what kids went to Head Start and what kids didn't. Yes, you know? Because it's, you know ... Well, like I said, it's Head Start. Gives them a head start, you know, into ... I think it's so neat. You know, like I said, my oldest girl didn't, but the others did. And, you know, it just gives them that ability, you know, to get along with others, you know, to learn respect, sharing. You know, like things in some of these 3-year-olds. You know, I know, you know, it's probably pretty hard when they're just 3, but, you know, it gives them a start, you know. And like I said, you know, there would be some that cling to mom and don't want to go and then cry. Then when you get those to Head Start, boy, they just come in and ... You know.

Interviewer: Very excited.

Dolly: Yeah. I think that's where it's so important, you know, to, you know ... Because that's what it's going to take nowadays to, you ... And like I said, I always just try to instill that to my kids, you know, respect and respect your elders, and so just – just neat. [Laughs]

Interviewer: Yeah.