NSU’s 44th Annual Symposium on the American Indian

(Tahlequah, Okla.)--As part of the 44th Annual Symposium on the American Indian, Traditional Singing will take place Saturday, April 16, 2016 in the UC Ballroom on Northeastern State Universitys Tahlequah campus. Special guest performances by the Cherokee National Youth Choir and the Native Praise choir will begin the singing at 3 p.m. and will end at 10 p.m.

Alisa Douglas, coordinator for student programs in the Center for Tribal Studies, attended traditional Native language singings when she was younger. Douglas is excited to bring the Native singing to NSUs symposium.

When I was young I didn't realize just how important and special the traditional singings were until I noticed there aren't as many people singing those songs. This cultural event will provide an opportunity for our Native community who are able to perform these songs to share them with the public.

Everyone is encouraged to participate as all singers and drum groups are welcome to perform any format of traditional songs during this event.

I am looking forward to offering a new event at the Symposium, as we try to provide a variety of events to community members, Sara Barnett, director of the Center for Tribal Studies, said.

I am especially excited to hear our lead performers sing in their Native languages and I cant wait to hear community members participate and share their songs.

Special guest, Cherokee National Youth Choir, performs traditional songs in the Cherokee language. The choir was founded in 2000 as a way to keep native youth interested in and involved with Cherokee language and culture. Nearly 40 Cherokee young people from the northeastern Oklahoma area make up this group.

Native Praise, another special guest, began in 1999 and has been instrumental in preserving Native American culture through the native Christian hymns passed down by ancestors. The Native Praise choir performs in the languages of the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Muskogee Creek, and Seminole tribes.

A break for dinner will be taken at5 p.m. and singing will resume at 7 p.m.

Learn more information regarding this event and the entire Annual Symposium on the American Indian.