CALL FOR PROJECTS: 2026 SHAWNEE LANGUAGE FAIR

Shawnee language learners of all ages and abilities are invited to join the Shawnee Language Immersion Program for the 2026 Language Fair, Dinner and Stomp Dance on Saturday, July 25 in Miami, OK. Citizens of all three Shawnee nations are eligible to participate. Over $6,000 in prizes will be awarded to the top three winners in each category—see below for project requirements and important deadlines.

Entry Requirements & Contest Categories

All final entries must primarily consist of written and spoken Shawnee, a written or spoken English translation, and accompanying image(s). Shawnee text must be written using either the Shawnee Tribe orthography or bibabebo. Project drafts should be submitted with both the written Shawnee and written English. Final projects must use visuals to accompany the Shawnee and be submitted as a JPG or PDF. Examples of project types are as follows: comic strip, poster, zine, video, slideshow, children’s book. Final presentations should be submitted as a video format no more than four minutes in length—assistance creating the final video presentation will be available for any contestants who need it.

CategoryWritten Length
Kindergarten – Grade 21-3 words or phrases
Grades 3 – 54-10 sentences
Grades 6 – 86-16 sentences
Grades 9 – 1210-20 sentences
Adult Students – SLIP Levels 1–310-20 sentences
Adult Students – SLIP mayaani, miina, waapiko, m’skoci’faki10-20 sentences
Adult CLPs, Apprentices, Masters10-20 sentences

Deadline Overview

  • Wednesday, April 15 – Registration Deadline
  • Friday, May 1 – First Draft Deadline
  • Monday, June 1 – Grammar & Spell Check Deadline
  • Monday, July 6 – Final Project & Presentation Deadline
  • Saturday, July 25 – Language Fair, Dinner & Stomp Dance

Ready to register now? Email shawneelanguage@shawnee-tribe.com with your full name, tribal ID, category, and project concept.

Back

More News

Apr 27, 2026

RECYCLING SPOTLIGHT: THERE IS NO PLAN B - THE IMPORTANCE OF RECYCLING

There’s only one Earth — and it’s up to all of us to help take care of it. Why Recycling Matters: ♻️ Reduces Landfill WasteItems that can be recycled take up unnecessary space in landfills. Recycling keeps usable materials in circulation instead of buried in the ground. 🌳 Conserves Natural ResourcesRecycling paper saves trees. Recycling aluminum saves […]

Read More
Apr 21, 2026

MAY IS MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS PERSONS (MMIP) AWARENESS MONTH

May is Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Awareness Month, a time to bring attention to the high rates of violence experienced by Native American and Alaska Native communities. MMIP highlights the urgent need to address the number of Indigenous people who go missing or are murdered each year. Native communities face higher rates of […]

Read More
Apr 2, 2026

APRIL IS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness and support for survivors. Sexual violence can happen anywhere, in any community, and affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds, including Native American communities, who are disproportionately impacted. Sexual violence means any unwanted sexual contact or behavior without consent. This can include rape, […]

Read More
Apr 2, 2026

RECYCLING SPOTLIGHT: THE 9% PLASTIC REALITY

Plastic production has grown rapidly over the past 60 years, creating an estimated 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic—most of it used in disposable products that quickly become trash. Of that total, about 6.3 billion metric tons has already become waste. Despite widespread recycling eaorts, only about 9% of plastic waste has been recycled. Around […]

Read More
Mar 9, 2026

WEEMEYAKWE: COMING HOME -- CATAHECASSA'S 1816 VISIT TO EASTERN CLARK COUNTY, KENTUCKY

By A. Gwynn Henderson and David Pollack On September 7, 1816, readers skimming the Niles’ Weekly Register might have noticed a story about two groups of Shawnee men visiting central Kentucky. It appears on a page with a variety of national and international news: an accounting of how many immigrants had arrived in America, details […]

Read More
Mar 5, 2026

CELEBRATING AMERICA RECYCLES DAY AT THE MUSCOGEE (CREEK) NATION RECYCLING EVENT!

On November 15, Shawnee Tribe’s Environmental Manager, Cindy Riley, participated in the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s recycling event to explore new ways of collecting and processing materials—from electronics and batteries to tires, and many more items—and to bring those best practices back to our own tribal community. Key takeaways: Next steps: Together, we can grow our […]

Read More
Mar 4, 2026

RECYCLING SPOTLIGHT: TINY BUT TOXIC - BUTTON BATTERIES

Button cell batteries are the small, flat, round batteries found in watches, hearing aids, key fobs, calculators, toys, and medical devices. They may be tiny, but they contain valuable materials and can create safety hazards if thrown in the trash. Because they are so small, button batteries are often tossed with household waste. However, lithium […]

Read More
Mar 2, 2026

WRAP UP: TEMPORARY EMERGENCY FOOD BENEFIT ASSISTANCE

On October 22, 2025, the Shawnee Tribe was notified that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) would pause operations during the month of November due to a protracted government shutdown. In response, the Shawnee Tribe developed the Temporary Emergency Food Benefit Assistance Program, which was established by October 29, 2025, to support Shawnee Tribe families […]

Read More
See All News