(“Let’s look closer”)
Ready for Launch: Shawnee Dictionary Now Available Online
For the past three years, staff linguist Anastasia Miller-Youst has been gathering thousands of Shawnee words and phrases, leading teams of interns, and working with SLIP’s first language specialist George Blanchard and community language preservationists (CLPs) on a massive undertaking—creating a searchable archive and online dictionary for saawanwaatoweewe (Shawnee language).
Part of the Indigenous Languages Digital Archive (ILDA), the dictionary is now available to all Shawnee people and language learners. The Shawnee ILDA also serves as a central archive for the primary sources used by the Shawnee Language Immersion Program’s curriculum development and research projects.
“When Terry Hinsley joined the team as a CLP, I knew he had the understanding of the language to help make it a reality,” said Anastasia. “He took the materials I gave him, expanded them, and also added audio for every single entry.”
Anastasia and the SLIP team have populated the dictionary with over 3,000 words and phrases thus far and will continually add more. Users may also submit requests for words they’d like to see added by using the dictionary’s feedback feature.
“It really was a team effort because as Terry was making entries, he would ask me questions about grammar rules, and we would often go to George Blanchard with all sorts of questions to help us make accurate entries. We have already created such a valuable resource and we’re not even done yet.”
Sign up here for the Shawnee ILDA.
Current users of SLIPstream, the Tribe’s online classroom portal, can access the Shawnee ILDA by clicking the announcement banner at the top of the homepage after logging on and requesting an account using the provided link.
If you are not enrolled in SLIPstream but would like access to the classroom portal, please email shawneelanguage@shawnee-tribe.com or call (918) 542-2441, ext. 109 for assistance.
TA KEEWAKI: Learn Shawnee Numbers and Colors with this Card Game
George Blanchard and Karl Meyer spent much of the last year hard at work developing ta keewaki (not yet!), a Shawnee card game for 3-10 players. Nostalgic and familiar as far as the rules of gameplay, ta keewaki helps players learn how to speak and read colors and numbers in saawanwaatoweewe (Shawnee language).
Citizens and SLIP participants may order up to three decks—pay only shipping. Shipping costs are $7 for 1 deck, $9 for 2 and $12 for 3.
Orders will be accepted through May 31 and will ship in early June.
or call (918) 542-2441 to place your order over the phone.
ONE CITIZEN’S JOURNEY THROUGH HIGHER EDUCATION, CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND HOMEOWNERSHIP Shawnee tribal citizen Michael Cedrone lives in Texas, where he works as Head of Human Resources at GBC Food Services. Cedrone attributes his success to the tribe’s educational, career and housing support programs. His professional journey began at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, TX, […]
During General Council weekend (September 20-21), the Shawnee Tribe hosted Firaxis Games’ Pete Murray (Learning & Development Manager) and Lead Producer Andrew Frederiksen, developers of Sid Meier’s Civilization VII, due to be released next February. Murray and Frederiksen kicked off their Shawnee visit with attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new Emma “Mock” Donaldson saawanwaatoweewika […]
Messages from the Chiefs – Fall 2024: It’s a US Election Day! Chief Barnes highlights the importance of voting in every election, local to federal, and Chief Baldridge reflects on the earliest days of his service on the Business Council compared to where we are today.
Shawnee language classes will resume for the 2025 calendar year on Monday, January 6! Self-paced learners and those hoping to participate in live classes should contact the Shawnee Language Immersion Program team (SLIP) to begin enrollment. SLIP will work with each individual student to place them in the appropriate course(s) based on their learning preferences […]
On Friday, September 20, tribal citizens and community members gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the Shawnee Tribe’s newest facility and cultural resource—the Emma “Mock” Donaldson saawanwaatoweewika (Shawnee language house). A little more than ten minutes east of central Miami, OK, the facility boasts a large, open gathering space with high ceilings and a […]
On October 15, the Governor of Ohio, Mike DeWine and his wife, First Lady Frances “Fran” DeWine traveled to Miami, OK to visit with various Shawnee Tribal programs and leadership. “We were honored to receive Governor DeWine and his wife at our Shawnee language house, Cultural Center, and Administrative offices,” said Chief Ben Barnes. “We […]
In September, the Shawnee Tribe’s Gaming Commission staff received safety training from City of Guymon professionals including; Fire Marshall Jason Bond, Fire Chief Scott Lathrop, 911 Director Justin Carnagey, and Police Sergeant Jacob Bankston. “It was a very productive training day and was well received by the Gaming Commission staff,” said Otis Hughs, Executive Director […]
GILA RIVER, Ariz.—Chief Ben Barnes attended today’s event on the reservation of the Gila River Indian Community, where President Joe Biden delivered a historic speech and a formal presidential apology for 150 years of federal Indian boarding school policies which he called “a shame” and “a blot on American history.” “I’m delighted that President Biden’s […]