ᏓᏗᏬᏂᏏ (We Will Speak)

In 1821, Sequoyah completed the Cherokee syllabary, the first written language developed on the North American continent. The Cherokee language is deeply tied to Cherokee identity, yet in 2019 the tri-council of Cherokee tribes declared it to be in a state of emergency after generations of assimilation efforts by the US government, as well as anti-Indigenous stigma. Fewer than an estimated 2000 fluent speakers— the majority of whom are elderly— remain amongst the 430,000 Cherokee citizens in the three federally recognized tribes.

(We Will Speak) highlights the critical work of language activists, artists, youth, and elders who are now leading a growing movement of urgent radical revitalization efforts to help save the Cherokee language from the brink of extinction. The film also delves into the history of the Cherokee syllabary, the destructive assimilationist legacy of boarding schools, the lasting impacts of the Trail of Tears, and the ways in which members of the Cherokee tribe reconcile their relationship to American identity.

Shot on location in Oklahoma and North Carolina, this film explores the nuanced ways that the Cherokee language is central to maintaining a unique cultural identity and relationship with the world. This collaborative project also intends to act as an empowering agent of hope for Indigenous voices in the midst of enduring inequity and oppression. (We Will Speak) centers Native perspectives and shows how it remains possible to continue to resist colonial monocultural influences and celebrate that which makes us unique.

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FILMMAKERS' STATEMENT: "This documentary project represents a culmination of the last decade of my life, in which I have returned to our language and am now working to revitalize it. This film documents intimate parts of Cherokee culture that many people (even many Cherokee tribal citizens) don't have access to. Among other things, it explores secluded communities in rural Oklahoma where the Cherokee language is still being spoken and taught by first-language speakers.

As a citizen of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, my positionality and knowledge on the crisis at hand has afforded me a unique opportunity to involve voices in our communities who are often overlooked by other media producers. The Cherokee history and personal stories told in this film not only stand to bring awareness to the issue of language loss, but also are meant to inspire people to join into the work of ongoing language revitalization. This documentary represents my greatest effort of reaching the widest audience about this work to showcase the warriors and elders who are in the trenches, hoping you join the fight. Your support of this project is most appreciated."

"I'm so proud of making this with our great crew. I hope everyone who watches it is about to take something meaningful from it. I am forever grateful to the communities who opened up their lives to us. Thank you if you do watch this."