Myrtle Driver Johnson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Myrtle Driver Johnson
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| Born | May 21, 1944 Big Cove, North Carolina, U.S.
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| Nationality | Eastern Band Cherokee, American |
| Occupation | Translator |
| Title | Beloved Woman |
Myrtle Driver Johnson, born on May 21, 1944, is a very important member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. She is a native speaker of the Cherokee language, meaning it was her first language. As of July 2019, she was one of only 211 people in her tribe who still spoke Cherokee.
In 2007, her tribe gave her a special honor, calling her a "Beloved Woman." This was because she worked hard to translate things from English into the Cherokee language. She also helped teach language classes and created books and materials to help others learn Cherokee.
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Helping the Cherokee Language
Myrtle Driver Johnson works as a translator for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Council. This means she helps translate important discussions and documents. She has also translated for the New Kituwah Academy (NKA) since about 2006. NKA is a special school where children learn in both Cherokee and English.
Translating Books for Kids
For the New Kituwah Academy, she translated the famous children's book Charlotte's Web. This was a big deal because it was the first time this book had been translated into an indigenous American language. She also translated a novel called Thirteen Moons into Cherokee. She even narrated her Cherokee translation of Thirteen Moons for an audio book. She also narrated another Cherokee audio book called Tsogadu Nvdo.
Teaching and Sharing Language
Myrtle Driver Johnson has been very active in language and culture camps for children. She also helps organize gatherings for adults who speak Cherokee. She takes part in the Cherokee Language Consortium, which is a meeting of the three main Cherokee tribes. They work together to create new words in Cherokee and make sure everyone uses them the same way.
Her Thoughts on Language
Myrtle Driver Johnson was interviewed for a movie called First Language – The Race to Save Cherokee. She explained that the Cherokee language is very important. She believes that if Native Americans don't speak their own language, the government might not see them as truly Native American.
A Moving Moment
Before the New Kituwah Academy was built, Johnson visited another Cherokee language school in Oklahoma. She saw a four-year-old child reading words in Cherokee. This moment was so powerful that it made her cry. It showed her how important it was to keep the language alive.
Working to Save the Language
In 2019, the three main Cherokee tribes declared a "state of emergency" for the Cherokee language. This meant they needed to work together to save it. This declaration made Johnson feel hopeful. She said that when they signed it, they made an agreement to help. She is determined to make sure they keep their promise.
Special Honors
The "Beloved Woman" honor is very special and is rarely given. It is the highest honor a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians can receive. Myrtle Driver Johnson received this honor in 2007 for all her hard work.
Her Family's Role
Myrtle Driver Johnson's two daughters, Myrna Climbingbear and Renissa McLaughlin, have also worked to help save the Cherokee language. Renissa McLaughlin has managed the Kituwah Preservation and Education Program. This program helps oversee the New Kituwah Academy. Sadly, Myrna Climbingbear passed away in June 2018 at age 56.
See also
