Officials gathered last week at Jackson County’s Smoky Mountain Elementary School to discuss the possibility of a Cherokee language program for elementary and middle school students in Jackson, Swain, Graham and Cherokee counties.

There was overwhelming support for the project from the more than 40 parents, students and educators who met March 8.

Brandon Stephens, grant writer with the Tribal Planning Office, was there to explain and garner support for the grant process that could fund such a program. Stephens explained that there was $3.5 million in funding available through the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Native Americans (ANA). He said it was a very competitive application process open to all of the more than 435 federally recognized tribes across the country. He asked those in attendance to write letters of commitment stating their willingness to participate in such a program. The letters would be used in conjunction with the grant application to show support and community involvement. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) will be the grant applicant.

The grant application will be a two-step process. The first step will be an application for category one funding. This would provide up to $50,000 for a planning year.

According to Nancy Sherill, assistant superintendent of Jackson County schools and Indian Education director, the planning year would be used to study all the logistics of a Cherokee language program and create a plan that would work.

Category two funding could provide a $125,000 a year for up to three years. Stephens said that the funding requires 20 percent in matching funds which the Tribe has pledged to provide.

Bob Marr, assistant superintendent and director of Indian Education for Swain County, and Marcia Hollifield, director of Indian Education for Graham County, were present to show their support for the program.

Tracy Fitzmaurice, public services librarian in Jackson County, told the group there was a lot of community interest and support for a Cherokee language program.

Vangie Stephens, school social worker, said that an informal poll of nearly 300 students who would be eligible for such a program showed more than 80 percent would participate.

The Cherokee language program would be voluntary and first priority would be given to enrolled members of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indian.

Brandon Stephens said the deadline for the grant application was March 16. He said it would be at least 90 days before the Tribe received any word on the application. He said if the Tribe was not awarded the grant this summer it would apply again.

“The Tribe is very supportive. This grant comes up twice a year and we will submit until we get a grant,” Stephens said. “Your participation will determine the status of this program.”

One of the parents present said that her 4-year old daughter had been learning the language through one of the tribal programs. “My mother was told that she couldn’t speak that language in school. We don’t want to lose this now.”

 

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The Smoky Mountain News