Language Is Culture

Joshua Hinson

Joshua Hinson is an artist and Director of the Department of Chickasaw Language in the Division of History and Culture for the Chickasaw Nation. Here, Joshua describes the differences in English and Chickasaw pronunciations of native words and how certain words don’t translate between the two. Even so, to him, language and culture mean the exact same thing.

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Joshua Hinson's Goal to Become Fluent

The Chickasaw Nation
Joshua Hinson expresses his goal of becoming a fluent speaker of the Chickasaw language.

Joshua Hinson's Chickasaw Ancestry

Joshua Hinson
Joshua Hinson talks about his Chickasaw upbringing on his mother's side of the family as he was growing up in West Texas.

Teaching the Chickasaw Language

Stanley Smith
Stanley Smith says the Chickasaw language connects people to their heritage, and is something to be passed down from generation to generation.

Survival of the Chickasaw Language and Culture

The Boarding School Era
The 1800s demonstrated a period of change and adaptability for Native Americans.

Composing in the Chickasaw Language

Jerod Tate
Jerod Tate decided that he wanted the music to incorporate Chickasaw language as a way to represent his heritage.

Chickasaw Identity

Dr. Amanda Cobb-Greetham, Director of Native American Studies, University of Oklahoma
Dr. Amanda Cobb-Greetham discusses the ways that being Chickasaw has always been a part of her life.

Sharing Our Language Connects Us

Lisa Billy
Chickasaw speaker Lisa Billy observes that when visitors at the Cultural Center see Chickasaw words around campus it prompts other phrases.