First Language: The Race to Save Cherokee

Join the Indigenous Student Association and the Ramsey Center for Appalachian Studies for a screening of First Language: The Race to Save Cherokee (2014, 56 mins, dir. Neal Hutcheson and Danica Cullinan). The film explores the extraordinary steps the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians are taking to revitalize the Cherokee language. We will be joined by Rainy Brake, who is the head of the Cherokee Language Program at Western Carolina University. She was the first certified teacher in the New Kituwah Academy Cherokee immersion program and taught Cherokee immersion in grades K-5 for a decade, before becoming Cherokee language instructor at WCU.

Ms. Brake will guide a discussion about the film and will facilitate a short Cherokee language lesson. This is a PAWS event and is open to the public.