Cherokee Nation Foundation teaches global awareness through UK cultural exchange

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Cherokee Nation Foundation recently hosted an innovative cultural exchange program connecting Cherokee students in Oklahoma with students in the United Kingdom. The program Nation to Nation, uses digital media to encourage students to bridge cultural divides through hands-on curriculum designed by their peers.

“Technology is continuously changing the game in education, and we are proud to be part of that advancement,” said Kimberlie Gilliland, executive director of the Cherokee Nation Foundation. “The students were able to develop a better understanding of how cultures differ throughout the world from a firsthand experience. It was inspiring to see them form a sense of pride and ownership in their culture as they shared it with the students overseas.”

The program began in September with a virtual launch at the Cherokee Arts Center in Tahlequah. Seventh-grade students from Maryetta Middle School, Fort Gibson Middle School and Sequoyah Middle School were joined via Skype by students from two schools in the United Kingdom.

Fort Gibson Enrichment Coordinator Kate Mock said that the cultural exchange program is just what the school needed to advance its global education initiatives.

“We are combining history and tradition with technology to preserve our culture,” said Mock. “This type of cross-cultural learning is not available through normal curriculum, so the students are engaged and eager to learn. They feel empowered by their heritage and the opportunity to share their world with their peers overseas.”

Students spent weeks developing curriculum for their partnering classrooms about the culture, language and art specific to their area. Portions of the Cherokee curriculum were developed with the assistance of Cherokee National Treasure Jane Osti. Through a generous grant from the Oklahoma Arts Council, Osti shared her knowledge and pottery expertise with students in Oklahoma to help deliver information to their British counterparts.

“We are so thankful for the support we received from the Oklahoma Arts Council, as well as the numerous community partners that made this program possible,” said Gilliland. “Cherokee Media LLC donated more than a year of their time and expertise to help provide our students with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and allowed them to share the Cherokee Nation with all parts of the world.”

Final projects from Cherokee students have been sent overseas to be featured in the opening ceremonies of the Brighton Art Festival during the Children’s Parade on May 4. The parade is the largest annual children’s event in the UK, with more than 10,000 people expected to attend. Video from the parade will be available on the foundation’s website at www.cherokeenationfoundation.org on May 5.