Ne mi ta Si wi nwi to wa (I want to speak Shawnee) - The Absentee Shawnee Tribe's "Ne mi ta Si wi nwi to wa" (I want to speak Shawnee) project aims to increase Shawnee language fluency among tribal members through structured language courses. Currently, the tribe has twenty fluent first-language speakers, with only one actively teaching. The project's goal is to increase the language proficiency of twenty Absentee Shawnee community members by one fluency level over three years. The program will provide both in-person and online language courses taught by certified Learning Advocates. Participants will be assessed and placed in appropriate learning cohorts based on their current language abilities. The 32-week curriculum includes lesson booklets, regular evaluations every seven weeks to measure progress, and encouragement for participants to practice Shawnee at home with family. The project will collaborate with other tribal departments to incorporate the Shawnee language into events, activities, and literature. Additionally, the program will work with the Shawnee Tribe's language program to verify word usage and translations. This initiative recognizes the Shawnee language as central to tribal culture, essential for prayers, songs, ceremonies, and maintaining traditional practices for future generations.
