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 was born on May 21, 1944. She is a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. She is a native speaker of the Cherokee language. This means Cherokee was her first language.
As of 2019, only about 211 people in the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) still spoke Cherokee. In 2007, her tribe gave Johnson a special honor. They named her a Beloved Woman. This was because she translated many things into the Cherokee language. She also helped teach the language and created learning materials.
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Myrtle Johnson's Language Work
Myrtle Driver Johnson works hard to save the Cherokee language. She helps people understand it better.
Translating for the Tribe
Johnson works as a translator for the EBCI Tribal Council. This means she translates important discussions. She has also translated for the New Kituwah Academy (NKA). This is a special school where children learn in both English and Cherokee. She started helping the school around 2006.
Bringing Stories to Cherokee
For the New Kituwah Academy, Johnson translated the children's book Charlotte's Web. This was the first time this book was translated into an Indigenous American language. She also translated Thirteen Moons by Charles Frazier into Cherokee. This novel is about the life of William Holland Thomas. It also talks about the Cherokee removal in 1839. The Museum of the Cherokee Indian press published her translation. Johnson also narrated her Cherokee translation of Thirteen Moons for an audio book. She also narrated another Cherokee audio book called Tsogadu Nvdo.
Teaching and Sharing Cherokee
Johnson has been very active in language and culture camps. These camps are for children and adults. She also takes part in the Cherokee Language Consortium. This group meets often to agree on new words in Cherokee. It includes members from the three federally recognized Cherokee tribes.
Myrtle Johnson's Views on Language
Myrtle Driver Johnson believes the Cherokee language is very important. She wants it to be strong for future generations.
Why Language Matters
Johnson was interviewed for a film called First Language – The Race to Save Cherokee. She said that when children learn Cherokee, it helps their identity. She believes the government sees Native Americans. But she feels they are not fully seen as Native Americans if they do not speak their own language.
A Call for Action
Before the New Kituwah Academy was built, Johnson visited a Cherokee language school in Oklahoma. She was very moved when she saw a four-year-old child reading Cherokee words. She was so happy she cried. In 2019, the three main Cherokee tribes made an important statement. They said the Cherokee language was in a state of emergency. They also agreed to work together to bring the language back to life. Johnson said, "when they signed it, they made an agreement with us. They're going to help us. I'm not going to let them forget it."
Honors and Recognition
Myrtle Driver Johnson received a very special honor in 2007.
Beloved Woman Honor
The Beloved Woman honor is very rare. It is the highest honor a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) can receive. This shows how much her tribe values her work.
Myrtle Johnson's Family and Language
Myrtle Driver Johnson's family also helps with language efforts.
Family's Role in Preservation
Johnson's two daughters, Myrna Climbingbear and Renissa McLaughlin, have worked with her. They help keep the Cherokee language alive. Renissa McLaughlin, also known as Renissa Walker, 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
