Towards Honoring and Preserving the Language
 

I know that some here are professors in Native American studies and literature, and might be interested.

I am thrilled to see the Cherokee Nation has bought Sequoyah's cabin, to preserve it. My sister is married into the Byrd "clan." Former Chief, Joe Byrd, is quoted in this article. This is significant, because my brother-in-law's cousin was the very first bilingual chief whom the Cherokee ever had. As the current Chief of the tribe, Chief Baker says -- the Cherokee have so few historical "jewels" of this kind. I am elated to see the preservation of the language, secured in this way. Sequoyah was a linguistic genius, who did something no one else has done, in all of human history, anywhere:

http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/17to...5d9595811.html

Jennifer

That is a heartening story, Jennifer. You reminded me of the wonderful Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, which has extensive collections and displays of Native American heritage. Have you been? If not, I very much recommend a visit. I found it fascinating.

M

Michael, you make me homesick -- in a good way! Gilcrease may have been where I first "discovered" Edward S. Curtis's photography, though I am not sure my memory serves me well, there. They house Frederic Remington (one of my favorites), and Charles Russell, a favorite of Timothy Murphy here. I am at work on an ekphrastic series, in fact, with Remington as my subject.

I used to live in Tulsa. I went to school there. I met the love of my life there. Later, we married, and my first child was born there.

"Heartwarming" is the perfect adjective. You know, Sequoyah was an artist, as well, and I have to laugh, looking at that cabin. I think of him as a sort-of Native American Van Gogh, in terms of domicile. He used buckskins, whereas Vincent hung prints, and his quarters were so vividly crimson and coral-bronze, compared to the French blues, etc. But the "bones" are there.

I might have to write a poem about it...

Many thanks,
J

Jennifer, I had no idea of your Tulsa connection! How fun!

I'm so glad you know the Gilcrease. I thought it was one the highlights of Tulsa, along with the fabulous art deco architecture and the Boston Ave Methodist Church. And the ribs.

M

The capital of the Cherokee Nation is about an hour's drive from Tulsa, in Tahlequah. That whole area is the territory of the Cherokee, and the Creek. My sister and brother-in-law -- though enrolled -- do not live on any reservation, but in what you might call a "suburb" of Tulsa, Broken Arrow.

Louisiana is a wonderful place, don't misunderstand, but my family goes back no more than two generations here. I miss Indian Country very much. We only left, because my husband could not find work there. Otherwise, I would have been perfectly happy to live there, until I died.

If you ever return, do try to visit the Cherokee. They are one of the "Five Civilized Tribes," you know :o

Jennifer

Jennifer, I have good friends in Tulsa so I may well find my way back. If I do, I look forward to taking your advice.

M