2023 Shawnee Youth Language Fair

Update May 31, 2023: Join us at the Miami Tribe Community Center on Friday, July 10 for final adjudications, dinner and a stomp dance! 

More info here

Contest open to students from any of the three Shawnee tribes or Shawnee children enrolled in other federally recognized tribes.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three winners in each age group.

First place ▪ $500  /  Second place ▪ $375  /  Third place ▪ $250

Categories & Submission Guidelines

Age GroupSubmission Requirement
Kindergarten – Grade 2          Single-page poster
Grades 3 & 44-panel comic strip
Grades 5 & 66-Panel comic strip
Grades 7 & 88-panel comic strip
Grades 9–1210-panel comic strip

Contestants may submit their entry using either the BiBaBeBo or Shawnee Language Immersion Program (SLIP) orthography. Artwork may be hand-drawn, digital, clip art, etc. Judging emphasis will be on the submitted dialogue and the student’s presentation of their submitted dialogue.

Each participant must be able to present and translate their project to SLIP staff without adult assistance, notes, etc. Participants may submit a video recording of their presentation, or present live via Zoom.

A physical copy of the project must be turned in to SLIP following the contestant’s presentation.

Deadlines & Events

Wednesday, March 15: Registration deadline. Submit name of the participant, grade level and copy of Tribal ID via email to joel@shawnee-tribe.com.

Thursday, June 15: Video presentation deadline.

Friday, June 16: Physical project due.

Saturday, July 15: Final judging of language fair entries and children’s stomp dance & social in Miami, OK. Venue & address TBD.

Questions? Contact SLIP Director Joel Barnes. joel@shawnee-tribe.com or (918) 542-2441, ext. 118.

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