Talking Indian: Identity and Language Revitalization in the Chickasaw Renaissance

185 Pages·2018·5.93 MB·

by  Jenny L. Davis

Talking Indian

JENNY L. DAVIS
Talking Indian
Identity and Language Revitalization
in the Chickasaw Renaissance
The University of Arizona Press
www .uapress .arizona .edu
© 2018 The Arizona Board of Regents
All rights reserved. Published 2018
ISBN- 13: 978- 0- 8165- 3768- 6 (cloth)
Cover design by Leigh McDonald
Cover art by Joshua Hinson
Publication of this book is made possible in part by the proceeds of a permanent endowment created
with the assistance of a Challenge Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, a federal
agency.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Davis, Jenny (Linguist), author.
Title: Talking Indian : identity and language revitalization in the Chickasaw renaissance /
Jenny L. Davis.
Description: Tucson : The University of Arizona Press, 2018. | Includes bibliographical references
and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017047627 | ISBN 9780816537686 (cloth : alk. paper)
Subjects: LCSH: Chickasaw Indians—O klahoma— Ethnic identity. | Chickasaw language—
Social aspects— Oklahoma. | Language maintenance— Oklahoma. | Anthropological
linguistics— Oklahoma.
Classification: LCC E99.C55 D38 2018 | DDC 976.004/97386— dc23 LC record available at https:// lccn
.loc .gov /2017047627
Printed in the United States of America
♾ This paper meets the requirements of ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1 992 (Permanence of Paper).
Contents
List of Illustrations vii
Acknowledgments ix
Introduction: Talking Indian 3
1. Context and Methodology 31
2. Chickasaw Speaker Style 55
3. Anompa! Language Revitalization, T- shirts,
and the Semiotics of Community Identity 76
4. Language Sits in Places 100
5. “There’s an App for That”: New Media and
the Future of Chickasaw Language Revitalization 128
Notes 151
Bibliography 155
Index 167

Illustrations
1. Chickasaw Homelands 9
2. Contemporary Chickasaw Nation Jurisdictional Boundaries 12
3. 2010 Annual Meeting and Festival T- shirt 85
4. 2008 Chikashsha Ittifama (Chickasaw Reunion) T- shirt 86
5. 2006 150- Year Anniversary of Chickasaw Constitution T- shirt 87
6. Anompa Brand 92
7. Chickasaw Cultural Center Logo 93
8. T- shirt for Chickasaw High School Class 94
9. T- shirt for Family Language Immersion Camp 94
10. Chickasaw Language Program Hats 96
11. Light Switch in Chickasaw Recreation Center in
Ada, Oklahoma 114
12. Sign on Outside of Matt’s Door 115
13. Sign Designating Office of Chickasaw Martial
Arts Coordinator 116
14. Front Window of the Red Road Shop in Ada, Oklahoma 118
15. Sign for Eye Clinic Area of Chickasaw Medical Center 119
16. Digital Map of First Floor of Chickasaw Medical Center 120
17. Entrance to the “Chickasaw History” Display in CCC 122
18. “Let’s Speak Chickasaw!” Display in CCC 122
viii | Illustrations
19. Signs in and Around CCC 123
20. First Flash Cards Using Stock Images 131
21. Second Set of Flash Cards, Commissioned from
Local Artist 132
22. Third Set, Featuring Both Writing Systems 132
23. Screen Capture of Chickasaw WOTD Twitter Page 135
24. Screen Capture of Chickasaw Language App for iPad 136
25. Robots Speaking Chickasaw 149
Acknowledgments
THIS BOOK, LIKE ANY STORY, has many beginnings. Some are as old as
the first batch of clay brought up by Crawdad, others as the arrival of lost and
disoriented Europeans on our continent. Its most tangible beginning was the
fieldwork for my dissertation, and, like any story, it has had many versions.
It is fitting, then, that this book begins with a moment to acknowledge the
immense contributions others have made to my research and this project
(some of whom never got to see this final stage). While it is not possible to
recognize everyone who has helped make this book a reality, I would like to
express Chokma’ski/Yakookay (thank you) to several groups and individuals
in particular.
First, to the people of the Chickasaw Nation for granting me access to
their homes, families, and lives. A huge debt is owed to the Chickasaw Lan-
guage Department, Speakers, and language revitalization participants for
their constant inspiration and for sharing the work that they have dedicated
their lives to— especially Lokosh (Joshua Hinson), Rachel Wedlow, Stan
Smith, JoAnn Ellis, Clovis Hamilton, and John Dyson.
Second, to the many mentors I have benefited from in the process of
researching and writing this book. First and foremost on this list is Kira Hall,
for her years of guidance and encouragement without which this book would
not have been possible. Because of her mentoring, I am a better linguist,