TULSA, Okla.- The Muscogee Nation Department of Culture and Humanities hosted the 2025 Mvskoke Opunvkv Opunahoyvlke Etohkvlketv Rakko, the Mvskoke Language Speaker Symposium, on April 7-9 at Tulsa River Spirit Casino and Resort. This year’s theme was Pum Opunvkv Min Homvn Hayet Kont Etohkvlkes: Prioritizing our Language, We Gather. The symposium was held to show appreciation and support to the first-language and second-language Mvskoke Opunvkv speakers.
The event was held to help strengthen language networks to perpetuate the Mvskoke Opunvkv and for communities. It was also held for Mvskoke Cultural Knowledge-Keepers and citizens from within and beyond the Mvskoke Reservation. The MCNDCH wrote about the event, “It is also a call for intentional engagement with the Mvskoke Opunvkv in order to enact a reclamation of Mvskoke Identity, History and Culture for future generations of Mvskokvlke.”
The symposium included a welcoming reception, a Mvskoke Opunvkv Language Lounge, MCN resource fairs focusing on social and health services, a Mvskoke language speaker census, chair volleyball, a Dawes Commision Film screening, and food.
The speaker census is an initiative led by the Mvskoke Opunvkv Asohyekcicvlke that aims to document Mvskoke language usage and social characteristics of first-language Mvskoke Opunvkv speakers. It was conducted in Mvskoke Opunvkv.
Thematic sessions during the event were offered and included Mvskoke Opunvkv Vculakat Opunahoyvte: “Old” Mvskoke Vocabularies and Mvnettake Mvskoke Opunvkv Kerrakat: Young People Learning.
The symposium also included different speakers throughout the gathering, such as MCN Representative Galen Cloud, Director of Mvskoke Opunvkv Asohyekcicvlke Jay Fife (Mvskoke), MCN Secretary of Housing L.S. Fields, MCN Chief David Hill and many others.
The event also encouraged limited use of English language, respect for Mvskoke language, active participation, and support for language learners.
According to MCN Secretary of the Department of Culture and Humanities RaeLynn Butler, the symposium might have been the largest gathering of Mvskoke speakers held on the Mvskoke Reservation in the last century. Butler wrote, “I recall our first speaker gathering last year and we had 6 first-language speakers participate. We now have more than 40 Mvskoke speakers who regularly attend the monthly Opunahoyvlke Etohkvlketv speaker gatherings. It has been amazing to see the attendance and interest grow each month. I am happy to see the speakers coming together across the Mvskoke reservation. We remain committed to serving our speakers and we appreciate you for keeping our Mvskoke Opunvkv alive.”
Mvskoke Opunayv em Komet Arvte: A Mvskoke speaker’s experience
Lucy Tiger (Seminole) is a fluent Mvskoke language speaker who attended this year and has never attended an event like this.
Tiger lives in Tecumseh, and the only person she is able to speak the language with is her aunt. When attending church, Tiger can sometimes speak the language with someone she knows or once in a while she might hear a preacher preaching in the language.
This year Tiger met people learning the Mvskoke language and getting the hang of talking in stecate. “I think it was beneficial to the ones that’s taking the courses because a lot of them was telling them that, if they just get used to talking to each other in the language, no matter where they’re at that they’ll eventually just catch on and start speaking without even thinking about ‘how do I say this?’” Tiger said.
Tiger’s favorite part was everyone speaking in the Mvskoke language. “I enjoyed it, with everybody talking in stecate. Listening to all of them talk. Some of them I haven’t heard talk like that in a long time, so I enjoyed it. I liked it,” Tiger said.
Mvskoke Opunvkv Asohyekcicvlke and Mvskoke Media Interview
During the symposium, the Mvskoke Language Liaison Program spoke with Mvskoke Media about the event, speaker gatherings, and advancing and supporting Mvskoke language and its acquisition. The following interview was conducted in English and Mvskoke Opunvkv and translated in collaboration with the Mvskoke Language Liaison Program staff.
Mvskoke Opunvkv Transcription and Translation
Etohtvlhuecakat (Translated By): Mvskoke Opunvkv Asohyekcicvlke
Shayln Proctor: Can you state your name, your title, and your tribal affiliation.
Jay Fife: Jay Fife cvhocefkv tos. ‘Stowe hoccihocat, J-A-Y F-I-F-E, mv vtotketv tat Mvskoke Opunvkv Asohyekcicvlke Fvyatv, F-V-Y-A-T-V. Este Mvskoke towis.
My name is Jay Fife. My title is Director of Mvskoke Opunvkv Asohyekcicvlke. I am Mvskoke.
Paskova Deere: Paskova Deere cvhocefkv ton, estowe hoccicat, P-A-S-K-O-V-A D-E-E-R-E, Mvskokvlke towi(s).
My name is Paskova Deere, I am Mvskoke.
Paskova Deere: Oh, Nak ‘Stowetv Svhecv, mv meci’ towis.
I am the Project Coordinator, that’s what I do.
Karen Powell: Karen Powell, sohfvcficv towis, Administrative Assistant, Este Mvskokvlke.
I am the Administrative Assistant, I am Mvskokvlke.
Linda Wood: Linda Wood cvhocefkv tos. Opunahoyvlke Asohyekcicvlke, Mvskokvlke Opunahoyvlke Asohyekcicvlke, mvt vtotki tos. Mv vm vtotketv tat, mvskoke opunvkv en hommahtv towis. Opunvkv kerret, vmvnettof – vmvnettuse tat, Mvskoke Opunvkv kerriyvte towes. Mv mon ton, mowet cvkerrakat, vtotketv cvpalaket towvnk ton vtotki tos. Mvto.
Linda Wood, I am the Language Lead for the Mvskoke Opunvkv Asohyekcicvlke. I learned the Mvskoke Opunvkv when I was very young and Mvskoke Opunvkv Asohyekcicvlke hired me to work with them since they know that about me.
Darrell Proctor II: Vnet, Darrell Proctorr Svhokkolat towi(s). Mv, oh, “Darell Proctor the Second, mv towi(s). Mv Mvskoke Opunvkv Asohyekcicvlke iemvtotket, Kvpetvne mahokat, vmvtotketv to(s). ‘SteMvskokvlk’ towi(s). Cvhocefkv tat – oh, ‘towe hoccihocat: D-A-R-R-E-L-L P-R-O-C-T-O-R I-I, mv towi(s).
I am Darrell Proctor II. I work with the Mvskoke Opunvkv Asohyekcicvlke, I am the Manager, that’s my job. I am Mvskokvlke. How you spell my name: Darrell Proctor II.
Shayln Proctor: So, the questions, could you tell me about this event and how did this idea come about? Also is there a title or a theme for this event?
Jay Fife: Theme kihocat, mv ‘Pum Opunvkv Homv min hayet kont etohkvlkes’ maketv ton tos. Mvt theme kihocet. Owis, pun-event title kihocat: Mvskoke Opunvkv Opunahoyvlke Etohkvlketv Rakko maket. ‘Stehvtke Punvkv tat: Mvskoke [Opunvkv] Speaker Symposium. Mv hocefē towe(s).
For the theme, it is “Prioritizing our Mvskoke Language, we gather.” As for our event title, “Mvskoke Opunvkv Speaker Symposium.” That’s what we call it in English.
Darrell Proctor II: Mvskoke Language Speaker Symposium
Shayln Proctor: So is this y’all’s first time ever doing something like this?
Jay Fife: Ummhm, mowe towes, punhvtceskv mecvhaneyatet mv RaeLynn stowe repottecvhanēyat ARPA Toknawv seocvhaneyattet kihcet punpohaket owvnks. Owis, pumvtotketv repotten mv vkerrickv hahyet, mv mon ton, stowe fullvhaneyattet, mv nvkvftetv ocvhaneyattet, vccakayen svpeyvhaneyat tvlkes kont metetak’ towes.
It is like that, this will be our first time hosting the event. RaeLynn asked how we could use the ARPA funding (the funding source for the event), so through our program we made plans on how to host the event and we’re preparing for the Mvskoke Opunvkv Speaker Symposium.
Jay Fife: “Tashace Rakko Nettv Svkulvpakat ayet Nettv Sostvpakat vtekan, mv 2025, mv Tvlse fvccvn mecvhane towes – Riverspirit… mv… hecino… [hands over the Symposium Program]… cokv svhokkolat, mv nake te?… Nvkvftetv Svheckv, stowe fullvhaneyatet vpvke to(s).
The event begins on April 7 and ends on April 9, 2025 in Tvlse, at Riverspirit, on the second page is our Symposium Agenda.
Shayln Proctor: Will there be any departments that will be helping with the set up? Or is it just your program only?
Jay Fife: Mv tat, Set-up vrakkv, mv puntvlkusan mecvhan’ towes. Mv we have the Riverspirit Hospitality mv punvnihcet, mv pumvnicvhan’ ton to. Owis, mvt ‘Program Fair’ kihocat, mv mecvhan towes. Nettv Svhokkolat… hecv.. yv.. Mv – stowe te? MCN Resource Fair mahket, mvn este yvmvn Este Mvskoke Etvlwv Vtotkvlke fullakat, mv enpohatteyvnk(s). Mon yicvhan’ tos. ‘Stowe Opunahoyvlke tayat, temvnicake tayat, mv ‘spumensokfvcficakhan tos. Mv Opunahoyvlke Etemvnickv.
For setup, it will be us that will do it. The Riverspirit Hospitality is helping us out. On the second day of the event, we will do a MCN Resource Fair. We invited various program and they will inform Mvskoke Speakers how they can assist with tribal services.
Linda Wood: Yv hiyowe, vtotkēyat, hvse vlhekat, vculvke etohkalet Opunahoyat enhuehketv hayet, cokv ‘mvtotēt, mv kerrakuecet, monahyaket, stowvhaneyat, mv mece ton tos. Mv hvse vlkat, nvkvftetv hvmken oce tos. Mowen vnvcomet, sulkvhanuset towisen, enhvteceskv vnvcomet vlicecak’ towemvts, mowet fulle towvnks. Owisen, hvta, retemmonayakat, etempunahoyvlke enheraket fullet, afvckvke haket, opunayakepat svfvckakat, retemonayaket, hvta hvse ayat, ohhvtalake ayat, sulke hak’ towvnks. Sulke haken, owen hvtvm pale svtutcennat onkat sostat mahen, pale ostat mahen ‘tohkvlket owen hvtvm ohhvtalakat ayet hiyowat mv sulke vhvnkateyat – cokpe hvmken Opunahoyvlke fulle monkv tos. Owisen, etv fullak’ ton towisen, hvte mvhuehket, hvlattepiceko tos. Hopoyē monks. Sulke monket vhoske tos kowet.
Each month we send letters and get in contact with First-Language Mvskoke Opunvkv Speakers to notify them of our monthly Mvskoke Opunvkv Opunahoyvlke Etohkvlketv (Speaker Gatherings). When the Opunahoyvlke Etohkvlketv programming began we had a few attendees. First-Language Mvskoke Opunvkv Speakers enjoy themselves at the program-hosted gatherings and the attendees began telling others which has allowed the Opunahoyvlke Etohkvlketv events to grow. There’s at least 100 First-Language Mvskoke Opunvkv Speakers, but we’re still looking for them. We are looking for First-Language Mvskoke Opunvkv Speakers – they’re out there!
Linda Wood: Mv hiyowe, pum’mvnettake hvta resmvnettakuse fullat, Mvskoke Opunvkv, pum punvkv, vcake ton tos kont vkerricake tos. Mv Este Mvskokvlke toweyat, eskerkv ton tos, kowi(s) tos. Owisen, oketv ayen, yv opunahoyvlke cokpe hvmke tos makeyat, hofonvte ressulke owemvts. Owisen, punahoyēko hakepe ayepat, mv vnvcomet vhoske ton tos. Owisen, etohkalet, etempunahoyet, hvta mvo ‘stowe mvhayetv tis onkat ‘towe tis onayen cemvnicake ta’ towat makaken, mv semvnicet mv yv mvnettakat mvhayaket, kerrake tayat kont mv mecē ton tos.
As we think about our Mvskoke Language, it remains sacred. Our language is special to us, because it’s our very own language. It belongs to us, Mvskokvlke. As time goes on, these First-Language Mvskoke Speakers become more important. Long ago there were more First-Language Mvskoke Opunvkv Speakers, but now our people have stopped speaking Mvskoke Opunvkv. There’s less First-Language Mvskoke Opunvkv Speakers now. However, as we gather, we speak Mvskoke Opunvkv through discussions and share ways we can continue promoting and advancing the Mvskoke Opunvkv. The First-Language Mvskoke Speakers share wisdom in the hopes that Mvskokvlke would learn the Mvskoke Opunvkv.
Mv vyakhvmke ton tos, mv pum opunvkv punsomkepe tayuset on tos. Oren mv enokketv rakko mv kihocen, mv Wvcenv svhvmkv mvt COVID kihocat, sulken vculvke vpeyet towvnks, ‘punahoyvlket. Onkv hiyowat, vnvcowe puhoskat, hiyowat ‘stowihaneyv kont vkerricake on tos. Vyakhvmkv, punsomkepe tayuset on tos, vnpuetake tis kerrakekok. Mv omet, puetak’ mvnettak’ toweyat, kerraket kowet, fullak’ nowat, Opunvkv kvwapēyvres. Mvt pumvkerrickv ton tos. Opunvkv svyekcepvkets ce! Hiyowat maki’ tos.
It is an emergency, and we see that the Mvskoke Opunvkv could be lost (from us). When COVID occurred, it affected many of our First-Language Mvskoke Opunvkv Speakers and they are no longer among us, they have left us. Now, there are only a few Mvskoke Opunvkv Speakers remaining, and we wonder “what are we going to do?” is what our shared thoughts are. It could suddenly be gone from us. Even my children don’t know the language and others have similar experiences. The young people among us, if they have the hope to learn the Mvskoke Opunvkv then we will see that they are learning and could possibly carry the language, that is our hope. Let’s seriously encourage ourselves (Mvskokvlke) to learn and save the Mvskoke Opunvkv! That is what I have to say.
Ohhvtalakat, mv Tasahce Rakko ofv, mv Mvskoke Opunvkv Opunahoyvlke Etohkvlketv Rakko, Ohrolope Cukpe Rakko Hokkolen Pale Hokkolen Cahkepohkakat, hvlattet owēyvnks. Mv Mvskoke Opunvkv Enhvteceskv Opunahoye ‘Svculakate mv cahmelihket mv hvcce tvpalv likat, Riverspirit Resort, mv etohkvlkat rakke mahat owvnks. Opunahoyvlke mv yihcet, etohkvlkaket etempunahoyet fullake towvnks. Mv Opunahoyvlke, Mvskoke Opunvkv Hvteceskv Opunahoye Kerrakvte, mv etohkvlkat, cukpe hvmkat senhoyanen etohkvlket Mvskoke Opunvkv setempunahoyet fulle towēyvnks. Mvskoke Opunvkv Opunahoyvlke esfackusen opunahoyet pohēyat mv min kvwapet pun’kowetvt owvnks ce!
In April, we hosted Mvskoke Opunvkv Opunahoyvlke Etohkvlketv Rakko 2025. It was the largest gathering of First-Language Mvskoke Opunvkv Speakers. Mvskoke Opunvkv Speakers gathered at Riverispirit Resort and shared fellowship with each other through Mvskoke Language. There were more than 100 First-Language Mvskoke Opunvkv Speakers who gathered and spoke in the Mvskoke Language. The Mvskoke Opunvkv Speakers spoke in Mvskoke which shows the language becomes a priority by speaking it – that was our hope.
If anyone is a First-Language Mvskoke Opunvkv Speakers you can reach the Mvskoke Opunvkv Asohyekcicvlke for any Speaker Resource Support and Assistance. Their number you can reach them by 918-758-7762 or 918-752-8321
