NSU Hosts "Study Abroad" in Cherokee Nation

NSU hosts "study abroad" in Cherokee Nation

TAHLEQUAH For nearly three weeks, a dozen University of North Carolina students learned what it means to be Native American, and specifically Cherokee.

The Study Abroad program is a partnership between The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Northeastern State University. UNC Assistant Professor Dr. Tol Foster recruited the 12 students who have studied Cherokee culture, health issues, and Cherokee language.

"They 'study abroad' in the Cherokee Nation. It is separate from the state. It is a sovereign nation," said Foster. "Students said they are standing in the Cherokee Nation, not Oklahoma, not Cherokee County. The students witnessed Cherokees and non-Cherokees working together for the good."

Foster said North Carolina selected NSU as a partner because the University has the most advanced program of Cherokee studies in the world, as well as the highest American Indian undergraduate enrollment in the U.S.

"This program is important. There are 67 tribal groups in Oklahoma and 37 federally recognized tribes in Oklahoma," said Foster. "Oklahoma is the center of the universe for tribes relocating from New York, California, and Delaware."

He said many people see the Trail of Tears as the end of the story. "They do not know what happens next?" he said.

Walker Elliott, one of the UNC students in the program, said the experience has been one he will always remember. "I went down to the creek with folks I met here and hunted for crawfish and joked around," said Elliott.

Caroline Harper, UNC student, said the Cherokee Immersion School was eye opening to her. Students in the school ranged from 3 years olds to third grade.

"Everything was in Cherokee. This was based off a program in Hawaii," she said. "They are really trying to preserve the culture and preserve the language. All the students were speaking Cherokee and all had MAC computers in Cherokee. They even played Simon Says in Cherokee."

Another area the students focused on was the history of the Cherokee Nation. "I have been learning how the Native Americans were screwed over by the government," said Harper. "It bothers me I did not know about this and how treaties were broken."

Harper was so moved by what she learned she sent a mass e-mail to her friends back home.

"One friend wrote back, 'can I get the Cliff Notes for that e-mail?' I feel passionate about this," she said. "I put up pictures on Facebook. I have learned more in the past couple of weeks than ever before."

Another highlight of the course was luncheon with Wilma Mankiller, former principal chief of the Cherokee Nation. Each student was required to read her autobiography.

"Chief Mankiller sat down, had lunch and spoke to us about problems indigenous people face," said Harper. "She was so down to earth and a great speaker. It was cool to meet her after reading her autobiography."

Becky Duggan, UNC student, said Mankiller has given so much service to the Native American community.

"She covered this in her book," she said. "She went in and put on her Carolina blue T-shirt with the Cherokee syllabary on it."

Duggan said her passion has been learning the art of stickball. "When I return to Chapel Hill, I am going to sleep and then start a co-ed stickball team," she said. "We played against students from the University of Georgia and it was so much fun. This was my favorite part of the trip."

The NSU community has welcomed the group and hopes to continue relations with them.

"It has been an emotional and intellectual experience," said Dr. Phyllis Fife, director for the Center for Tribal Studies. She has been impressed with the 12 students and Foster.

"The academic experience has been very good and I asked NSU students to take part in the program as host students and that number has grown," said Fife. "Elder Cherokee leaders were also a huge part of the program."

6/12/2009

Published: 2009-06-12 00:00:00