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.
| Category | Written Length |
| Kindergarten – Grade 2 | 1-3 words or phrases |
| Grades 3 – 5 | 4-10 sentences |
| Grades 6 – 8 | 6-16 sentences |
| Grades 9 – 12 | 10-20 sentences |
| Adult Students – SLIP Levels 1–3 | 10-20 sentences |
| Adult Students – SLIP mayaani, miina, waapiko, m’skoci’faki | 10-20 sentences |
| Adult CLPs, Apprentices, Masters | 10-20 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.