x
Breaking News
More () »

Cherokee Nation Chief Hoskin signs permanent reauthorization of historic Durbin Feeling Language Preservation Act

On top of declaring the loss a national emergency, the legislation guarantees $18 million in annual funding, on top of another $35 for new capital projects.

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Leaders of the Cherokee Nation gathered to celebrate the permanent reauthorization of the historic Durbin Feeling Language Preservation Act on Wednesday morning inside the Durbin Feeling Language Center in Tahlequah.

The landmark 2019 law is helping revitalize the Cherokee language and represents the largest language investment in Cherokee history. The permanent reauthorization, proposed by Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner, and approved by the Council of the Cherokee Nation, locks in a minimum operating funding budget of $18 million annually.

The new legislation deems the loss of the Cherokee language to be a national emergency for the Cherokee people and along with the minimum annual funding, includes $35 million in new capital projects, including a proposed $30 million Cherokee language immersion middle school to extend enrollment and space for the current pre-K through eighth-grade language immersion program.    

Watch 5NEWS on YouTube.

Download the 5NEWS app on your smartphone:

Stream 5NEWS 24/7 on the 5+ app: How to watch the 5+ app on your streaming device

To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com and detail which story you're referring to.

Before You Leave, Check This Out