TAHLEQUAH, OK – Cherokee Nation leaders gathered yesterday to open the new School of the Seven Directions Cherokee Immersion Middle School, a $30 million investment in Cherokee language revitalization. The school will open for the new school year on Aug. 27.
“The dawn of a new age has begun for Cherokee language immersion,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. “This middle school is one major step closer to our goal of revitalizing not only the Cherokee language, but our culture and traditions. The knowledge learned between these walls will last for generations to come. As the teachers pass the torch on to each student, our Cherokee youth are handed a heavy and vital responsibility to carry into our future.”
Located near the Durbin Feeling Language Center in Tahlequah, the more than 66,000 sq. ft. school includes 16 classrooms and will serve students in grades four through eight. Construction began in August 2024 as part of the Hoskin/Warner Administration’s Durbin Feeling Language Preservation Act.
“Our immersion teachers dedicate every waking moment of every day to these students and their immersion in the Cherokee language and traditions,” said Cherokee Nation Deputy Chief Bryan Warner. “This beautiful learning institution, and all its incredible features, are well-deserved, and I’m confident they will be put to good use.”
Designed with Cherokee traditions in mind, the school includes a central courtyard, playground, stickball field and art patio. The courtyard is aligned with the spring and fall equinoxes, with its stickball pole, fire hearth and other elements positioned in relation to the sun during the seasonal events. Traditional ceremonies will also be held on campus.
“Everything that you see here was done on purpose, every color, the way that the school faces,” said Howard Paden, Executive Director for the Language Department. “This entire school was built from east to west on the equinox. We want to thank the Chief, the Deputy Chief and the Council for allowing us to boldly interpret our culture in the construction of this school. They have been with us every step of the way and have not faltered.”
The campus also includes a gym and basketball court, media center, cafeteria with a stage, science and STEM labs, and classrooms for art, music, dance, wrestling, life skills and pottery. Additional areas are dedicated to flint knapping, bow-making and woodcarving. The courtyard and specialty classrooms will also be available to students at the Durbin Feeling Language Center and Greasy Immersion School.
“Every time we create another place where Cherokee can be spoken, we strengthen the language,” said District 8 Council Codey Poindexter. “Today, we are creating one of those spaces, a place where children can grow surrounded by the Cherokee language, where our teachers can pass knowledge to another generation, and where our fluent speakers can see their life’s work continue.”
Thompson Construction served as contractor for the project, with Blue River serving as architect. Signage throughout the school is entirely in Cherokee, and English will not be spoken in the school.
Since its passage in 2019, the Durbin Feeling Language Preservation Act has funded the expansion and creation of Cherokee language programs and services, as well as construction of the Durbin Feeling Language Center.