Federal Grant Award Summary

The Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma received a $900,000 Project Grant from the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) under the Native American Programs (CFDA 93.612) to implement the "Ne Mi Ta Si Wi Nwi To Wa" (I Want to Speak Shawnee) language revitalization initiative. Awarded July 1, 2025, with completion targeted for June 30, 2028, the project delivers structured Shawnee language instruction designed to increase language proficiency among 20 tribal members by one fluency level over the three-year period. The program addresses the critical need to preserve Shawnee language competency given the tribe currently has only 20 fluent first-language speakers with minimal active instructors.

The project provides both in-person and online language courses taught by certified learning advocates, with participants placed in appropriate cohorts based on initial assessments. The 32-week curriculum includes lesson booklets, evaluations conducted every seven weeks to track progress, and encourages home practice with family members. Additionally, the program collaborates across tribal departments to integrate the Shawnee language into cultural events, activities, and literature, while partnering with the Shawnee Tribe's language program to ensure linguistic accuracy in word usage and translations. This comprehensive approach recognizes the Shawnee language as essential to maintaining tribal cultural identity, ceremonial practices, and traditional knowledge for future generations.