Northern Cheyenne loses critical language warrior – Adeline Spotted Elk Part I of a Tribal Language Story

On October 4, 2022, many traditional Northern Cheyenne speakers gathered to assist Adeline Spotted Elk make her journey to the “Next Camp”

Her real name, in tribal way was Young Ceremonial Woman more important to the Northern Cheyenne than her legal “English” name.

Cheyenne traveling songs were made, elders spoke and made prayer in the Cheyenne language, the occasion concluded with a give-away and feast. Few English words were spoken, for proper Cheyenne sentiment cannot fully expressed that way.

It was done so because Adeline was a gentle and determined warrior, devoting her life to protection and promulgation of the sacred Cheyenne language, related ceremony, and family.

A part of her obituary read: A descendant of Chiefs Little Wolf, Wild Hog and Spotted Elk, her life was dedicated to our sacred Cheyenne language with passion and respect.  Reading and writing in our sacred language ensured to her that our language is still alive. She spent most of her time teaching children, adults and anyone who wanted to learn the Cheyenne language.

Such type of going away ceremony is not now always practiced among the Northern Cheyenne and if the course of events continues, may soon not be customary as some tribal elders predict. They fear the Northern Cheyenne language is also in jeopardy of dying, also putting traditional customs in jeopardy.

Adeline Spotted Elk not only taught the Cheyenne language in formal classroom settings: she taught by example.  As a child of Chiefs, she conducted herself accordingly.  She walked with generosity, kindness, and humility. Word shown in deed. She ever looked after her older needy relatives and many others. “We are poor Indians and should help each other” she advised.

Though old and rather poor herself, she helped in tangible ways: providing food, shelter and, perhaps most important, company, daily visits. Sometimes old people get lonely.

She was principal advisor to her brother cousin Tony Prairie Bear, an acknowledged spokesman for Northern Cheyenne military societies.  And she never gave up on a younger brother, Cedric, one of our troubled ones, taking him in all the time, no matter what. She grieved when they both went to next camp, severely cutting her long beautiful black hair.

Those visits involved a lot of silliness, joking in Cheyenne style. Laughter is part of healing, according to Cheyenne tradition as explained by Lynwood Tallbull, acknowledged traditional healer.  “It was always a happy time to be around Adeline,” her niece Diane Spotted Elk, then a tribal council member remarked.

The Northern Cheyenne are engaged in a desperate struggle to preserve and revitalize their language.  “It defines us as a people, provides a unique world view. We are Human Beings given special ways by Maheo’o  (the Creator)” Mina Seminole, Cultural Resources Director for Chief Dull Knife College explained.

Thus, the loss of a fluent Cheyenne language speaker such as Adeline is devastating, Seminole said.

“Losing these (indigenous) languages means losing a great part of our human heritage, because languages are much more than spoken or written words or sentences – they are the means through which cultures, knowledge and tradition are preserved and transmitted between generations,” said Mona Rishmawi, Chief of the rule of law, equality, and non-discrimination branch of the UN Human Rights. Rishmawi made this statement during a discussion on the promotion and preservation of indigenous languages at the Human Rights Council held in 2019.

The State of Montana has recognized the importance of preserving tribal languages.  Thus, they enacted two key state laws to assist in that effort.

First, the State acknowledged Class 7 Certification of tribal language speakers. Upon certification this law enables Class 7 tribal language speakers to teach in Montana Schools on par with other teacher passed in 2005.  Unfortunately, that legislation did not guarantee parity pay, thus many tribal language teachers in Montana schools are paid at the rate of a teacher’s aide

At Northern Cheyenne, for example, 13 speakers passed a rigorous test to do that.  The test, designed by Dr. Richard Littlebear, then President of Chief Dull Knife College requires an hour of conversation exclusively in the Cheyenne language, no insertion of English allowed.

Traditionally, the Cheyenne did not incorporate words from other languages. Creative people they make up substitute words such as table – a flat thing with legs that white people eat on. That, like many descriptive Cheyenne phrases is a long tongue twister.

After gaining a college degree, Adeline became on of the first 13 Class 7 Language teachers.  She then devoted her life to that teaching.  At all levels, from Head Start, to elementary to secondary.

A natural linguist, she was fluent and capable of writing different languages: English mastered as a young child; Cheyenne and a smattering of Spanish.  And during her years on the Mormon placement program learned to be an accomplished pianist.

The second Montana law created the Montana Indian Language Preservation Project (MILLP) which provides grants to Montana Tribes for language preservation efforts. At Northern Cheyenne, Adeline was an advisor for those grants.

More important she was ever available to adults with an interest in learning the “spiritual and sacred tongue” of the Cheyenne.

One of them was Anthony Whitedirt, already a fluent speaker.  He often sought her advice and guidance about the nuances of ceremonial words, now known and understood by very few Cheyenne speakers.  He said that she said “Do not worry.  You will get it right.  Maheo’o (the Creator) will understand what you mean.”

Young Ceremonial Woman was apt name for her.  In a woman’s role which involves food and providing goods for give-aways, she ever participated and supported Cheyenne ceremony such as sweat lodge, fasting at Bear Butte, Sun Dance etc.  As a child of Chiefs, she ever “stood in the back,” humble, helpful, generous, and kind” teaching by example.

“Don’t forget to mention our spiritual fires” said her niece Diane Spotted Elk. “She was devoted to that and often saw our ancestors’ spirits there.  That is why she was not afraid to go to “Next Camp.” They were waiting for her.”

In younger years, Adeline was an Indian activist, participating in AIM. She was often called upon as a speaker at national conferences and events such as the Sand Creek Memorial.  Some of her direct ancestors perished there.

Photographs tell that Young Ceremonial Woman was one of the most beautiful Cheyenne women of recent times – a perfect oval face; sparkling “chokecherry” eyes; white teeth, lithe slim body, graced by magnificent mane of black hair flowing to thigh. Though as she aged, with occasion to grieve. it became shorter according to Cheyenne custom cut to express sorrow.

Her only son, who has now also gone to last camp, was named Wamblee (eagle in Sioux) in honor of his Oglala father.

Her last trip was to support the Water Watchers in the Dakotas.  Though frail in body, she was still strong-hearted.

She will be missed.  She cannot be replaced.

Contact Clara Caufield acheyennevoice@gmail.com)

 

 

 

The post Northern Cheyenne loses critical language warrior – Adeline Spotted Elk Part I of a Tribal Language Story first appeared on Native Sun News Today.

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