CPS Native American Programs

December 2024

🎄 Christmas Break (12/19/24 - 1/3/24) 🎅

CPS Native American Culural Week 2024

Monday 11/18 - Thursday 11/21

Cultural Day w/ Cherokee Nation

On Monday, 11/18, Cherokee Nation cultural presenters were brought into our upper elementary to give cultural presentations for Native American Cultural Day. Due to the poor weather, this event was held indoors. However, our upper elementary students still got to experience shooting blow guns and playing Butterbean. We want to give the Cherokee Nation a big thank you (wado) for being such a great partner to our district!

Cultural Presentation- Peggy Price

On Monday, 11/18, and Tuesday, 11/19, Mrs. Peggy Price was brought into our SWARM Enrichment program. Mrs. Price made native bracelets with the students. We want to give Mrs. Price a big thank you (wado) for being such a great cultural partner to our district!

Cultural Presentation- Nan Davis

On Wednesday, 11/20, Mrs. Nan Davis was brought into our SWARM Enrichment program. Mrs. Davis played marbles with the students. We want to give Mrs. Davis a big thank you (wado) for being such a great cultural partner to our district!

CPS Native American Cultural Night 2024

On Thursday, 11/21, several cultural presenters were brought in for our first-ever CPS Native American Cultural Night. This event was open to the entire community and was a huge success. We are looking at making it an annual event. Several cultural activities were provided, and presentations included blowguns, marbles, storytelling, and singing/drumming. There were also student projects on display. We want to give Mrs. Karen Hilliker a big thank you (wado) for helping us get this event planned, organized, and executed. We also want to thank everyone else who was involved in this night's success! Wado!

Elementary School Cherokee Push-In Program

ES Cherokee Push-In Program Website

oo-guh-nah-sdee gah-doo (cookie)

Parker McJunkin-4th Grade

Mrs. Hastings, Pre-K

Jalissa Beck

1st Grade, Creekkiller

Stone Riley getting every last bit of icing!

Yo-nuh (Bear)

Pryor Sherrell, Mrs. Russell's Kindergarten

Cherokee Club

We have already flown through another JOM competition! Students worked so hard on their art projects and they turned out amazing. See below for more information on that competition!

Now that art is complete, we are planning a small congratulations ceremony and party next Wednesday after school. Students will be presented with a medal, or their art work framed. We will share treats afterwards. If your child placed in the Cherokee Challenge bowl, or art competition, please make sure they attend afterschool next Wednesday 12/18/24.

We have begun preparations for Language bowl. If your child holds a CDIB card and would like to compete, please don't hesitate to contact us for more information!

🎄🎁Staffmas🎅⛄

On Friday, 12/13, the Native American Programs staff had their annual end-of-the-semester meeting and Christmas party (Staffmas)! Staff met to celebrate the accomplishments of the first semester and plan for the second semester.

2024 JOM Art Competition

The 2024 JOM Art Competition was held in Tahlequah on 11/21. We had 41 total entries in several divisions and categories. CPS had 10 entries place! Those that placed are invited to attend the Art Reception on 12/17 in Tahlequah.

A huge thank you goes out to our Special Projects Coordinators, Tashina Weaver, Katy England, and Chloe Thomas. These ladies work with students every Wednesday in the Cherokee Club, where students are taught the Cherokee language and culture and prepared for JOM competitions. Great job, ladies. We appreciate you and the work you do! Wado!

Native American Studies & Cherokee

MS/HS Cultural Education Website

Native American Studies

Native American Studies students have been very busy this month! Students learned about Sequoyah and the creation of the Cherokee Syllabary, and the Cherokee Phoenix.

The Cherokee word of the week was "I-tlu-gi" which means tree. Students created Christmas tree and used the phrase "Merry Christmas" and "i-tlu-gi" on their art works.

Cherokee

Cherokee 1 & 2 Language students have worked hard all semester! Language students can fluently read, write, and recognize over 60 Cherokee symbols! Students have learned an array of words and phrases! We look forward to the spring semester to expand our knowledge!

UPCOMING: Parent Committee Meetings

Title VI Meeting:

Thursday, January 9, 2025

Dan Draper Community Center

3:45 p.m.

JOM Meeting:

Thursday, January 9, 2025

Dan Draper Community Center

4:30 p.m.

Title VI Meeting:

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Dan Draper Community Center

3:45 p.m.

Resources for Parents & Families

Cherokee Nation Parent Resource Guide

The Cherokee Nation offers many services to its citizens and to other Native American tribes throughout its tribal jurisdiction in Northeastern Oklahoma. This guide is a resource for parents with information about services the tribe provides.

Cherokee Nation Language Resources

The Cherokee Nation Language Department is committed to preserving and perpetuating the Cherokee language through day-to-day spoken use and by generating more proficient second-language Cherokee speakers.

Cherokee Nation Tribal Registration

The Cherokee Nation Registration Office processes Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB), Dawes and Tribal Citizenship applications and issues CDIB, Citizenship, and Photo ID cards.

Cherokee Classes (art traditions, history, & genealogy)

Visit Cherokee Nation offers classes led by experts in Cherokee art traditions, history, and genealogy. Please note that classes fill up quickly and availability is not guaranteed. Follow Visit Cherokee Nation on social media for the latest info.