Siyo, my name is Tyla Sawney. I’m from a small yet beautiful community called Bell, Oklahoma. Although I’m from a small community, I come from a big family. I’m the middle child of seven. I attend Salem Baptist Church. I’m a writer, editor, recorder, MMIW activist, podcast host, researcher, published poet and photographer for “Same Ship, Different Storm”. My work was chosen for display in Tulsa, Oklahoma, during the centennial remembrance of the Black Wall Street Race Massacre. I’m a proud full-blood Cherokee! I love everything about my culture. I grew up hearing my Cherokee language and I’m blessed to say that I still do! My first language is actually Cherokee. My language might have been taken from some, but it will forever be with us in our hearts, just as our ancestors are. In everything I do in my life I want to put the Lord first. He has blessed me in many ways! I want my people (young or advanced) to know that we are the peace of this Earth. We are who we are! We are Native Americans who can overcome anything no matter where we come from. I’m honored to be a Cherokee! Our language isn’t just the words we speak. It’s powerful. The words have meaning and we speak them with dignity, courage and love. Always remember everything we need is within us. I’d like to thank my dad for always keeping his language in his heart. When I hear him speak the language it is music to my ears. To my fellow teacher, Mr. Panther, Tlvdatsi, thank you for making me fall in love with who I am and my culture! Wado for keeping the language alive and for helping it to come alive within me! Someday, like you, l will teach others.
Donadagohvi.
-Tyla Sawney
Please enjoy one of Tyla’s selections from the Chicago Field Museum:
Ꮎ ᎤᏬᏚᎯ
na uwoduhi
Tyla Sawney
Na uwoduhi
Ꮎ ᎤᏬᏚᎯ ᏗᎦᎶᏍᎬ ᎥᏙᎵᎥ ᏗᎩᏁᎦᎸᎯ
Na uwoduhi digalosgv igtselii diginegalvhi
Ꮎ ᎤᏬᏚᎯ ᏗᎦᎶᏍᎬ ᎥᏙᎵᎥ ᎦᏙᎯ
Na uwoduhi digalosgv igtselii gadogi
Ꮎ ᎤᏬᏚᎯ ᏗᎦᎶᏍᎬ ᎭᏫᎾ
Na uwoduhi digalosgv hawina
Ꮎ ᎤᏬᏚᎯ ᏥᏗᏬᏂᎰᎢ
Na uwoduhi tsidiwonihoi
Ꮎ ᎤᏬᏚᎯ ᏥᎩᏲᎰᎢ
Na uwoduhi tsigiyohoi
Ꮎ ᎤᏬᏚᎯ ᎢᎩᎲᎢ
Na uwoduhi igihvi
Ꮎ ᎤᏬᏚᎯ ᏥᎩᏂᏴᏐᎢ
Na uwoduhi tsiginiyvsoi
Ꮎ ᎤᏬᏚᎯ ᎢᎩᏃᏎᎸᎢ
Na uwoduhi iginoselvi
Ꮎ ᎤᏬᏚᎯ ᏥᏂᎦᏍᏓ
Na uwoduhi tsinigasda
Ꮎ ᎤᏬᏚᎯ ᎢᏗᏴᏫᏴᎢ
Na uwoduhi idiyvwiyvi
Ꮎ ᎤᏬᏚᎯ ᏥᏂᎦᏛᎾ
Na uwoduhi tsinigadvna
The Beauty
The beauty that comes from our skin
The beauty that comes from our land
The beauty that comes from within
The beauty that we speak
The beauty that we seek
The beauty that we have
The beauty that we hold
The beauty that we are
The beauty of Native Americans
The beauty of us