Native Languages Center

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College of the Muscogee Nation

Language

Mvskoke

Academic Programs:

The College of the Muscogee Nation has strong programs in language with their certificate programs and the development of the Mvskoke Language Fellowship—an intensive adult immersion master-apprentice program. The goal of the program is to increase proficiency and positively impact Mvskoke language revitalization. The college is also doing work on digital documentation and translation of language materials.

The college recently began work on the Onvkuce: Voice Database project. The goal of the project is to create a comprehensive, searchable digital library of Mvskoke language recordings. This repository will serve as a vital resource, providing access to authentic audio materials to support language preservation and education efforts.

Language in the Community

The Muscogee Nation also works to promote language learning and preservation through resources such as the Mvskoke Opunvkv, a digital resource for learning materials, dictionary, etc.

Language

Muscogee (Mvskoke, Creek) is a Muskogean language spoken by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the Seminole Nation in Oklahoma and Seminole Tribe of Florida. Though originally spoken in the American Southeast, the language was forcefully relocated to Oklahoma (then called Indian Territory). Muscogee is today spoken by fewer than 400 people, most of whom live in Oklahoma and are members of the Muscogee Nation and the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. Some speakers of Muscogee are also members of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Muscogee belongs to a family of languages known as Muskogean. Muscogee is related to, but not mutually intelligible with, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Alabama, Koasati, Apalachee, and Hitchiti-Mikasuki.

Teaching Requirements in Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, provisional certification to teach a Native American language is issued by the state after a prospective teacher receives a certificate from an Indigenous Nation. The certification is initially valid for one year. How to get a provisional certificate:

Obtain tribal certification. You must be granted a teaching certificate from an Indigenous Nation that has a language program.
Apply for state provisional certification. After receiving the tribal certificate, the state of Oklahoma will issue a one-year provisional certification to allow you to teach in public schools.
Certification renewal

Without an Oklahoma teaching credential: If you do not have a separate Oklahoma traditional or alternative teaching credential, your Native American language certification must be renewed annually. This requires completing additional professional development hours.
With an Oklahoma teaching credential: If you hold a traditional or alternative teaching credential from Oklahoma, you only need to renew your Native American language certification every five years.

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The map below shows the locations of the 37 TCUs across the country. To learn more about each TCU and the language programs offered within those institutions, hover over each pin on the map.

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