For the ninth year, a group of volunteers will be working to help save endangered languages from extinction.

Alice Anderton, spokeswoman for the Intertribal Word Path Society, said about one-third of the American Indian languages once spoken in Oklahoma are no longer in use.

"They're becoming a more precious cultural commodity," she said.

The Intertribal Word Path Society will hold its annual Celebration of Oklahoma Indian Language and Culture Oct. 20 at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds in Norman.

The single-day event features presentations by speakers of the some 25 indigenous languages still in use.

"People who speak each of these languages will come and do some kind of cultural presentation in their language," Anderton said.

The presentations allow people to hear the language spoken as it was intended, not just as one word or phrase at a time.

Most of the languages of Oklahoma have been represented, she said.

Past years' celebrations have included Cherokee, Cheyenne, Choctaw, and Creek storytelling, a presentation in the Comanche language on how to prepare corn, and a reading of Kickapoo poetry.

A presentation given in the Pawnee language will be among the attractions this year, Anderton said.

There are still some 25 indigenous languages spoken in Oklahoma, and when languages die, a part of a culture's identity dies with them.

Various tribal and government efforts have been aimed at preserving the use of indigenous languages in recent years, some with success. For example, there are thousands of Cherokee speakers today, thanks to courses that have been offered in the language.

Others have no speakers at all, however, such as the Modoc language.

Anderton said turnout typically depends on the weather. Between 150 and 300 people generally show for the main presentation. About half of those attending in past years have been of native ancestry, she said, while half were not.

Food vendors will offer fare such as fry bread tacos, while artists and jewelers will be displaying their wares.

More information is available on the group's web site, at www.ahalenia.com/iws.

There is no charge to attend the event, parking is free, and the venue is handicap accessible.
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