Chickasaw Elders Bring Chikashshanompa' (Chickasaw Language) to Life

AYA Is a Time Capsule Preserving Two of the Chickasaw Nation’s Treasures

Chickasaw elders and Chikashshanompa' (Chickasaw language) are revered at the Chickasaw Nation. AYA is fortunate to have the support of many of our beloved Chickasaw elders to preserve prayers and words in Chikashshanompa' for our users. The voices of our elders share their prayers and language skills with users to enable us all to connect with the rich heritage of the Chickasaw people.

As you listen to the prayers written and recorded by Chickasaw elders, you hear echoes of Chickasaw people through the ages. You can imagine that the voices of our elders sound the same as our earliest ancestors who lifted their prayers to Aba' binni'li'. AYA honors our elders, our ancestors, our deep spirituality and traditions, and our Chikashshanompa' by preserving them for users to appreciate and learn. Some of the elders who wrote and recorded prayers are now walking the path with our ancestors above, but their faith, their voices and their gifts to Chickasaws today and in the future will continue to inspire and encourage.   

 

AYA honors our elders, our ancestors, our deep spirituality and traditions.

Chickasaw Treasures Touch Users’ Lives and Impact Health

AYA’s primary mission is to enhance the health of Chickasaw citizens wherever they live. By collecting and sharing voices, prayers, words and stories, AYA provides users the opportunity to connect more deeply to Chickasaw culture, learn what it means to be Chickasaw and feel the strength and pride that comes from being part of the unconquered and unconquerable Chickasaw people.

The Miami tribe of Oklahoma participated in a Miami University of Ohio study. The study looked at various aspects of cultural identification, including language acquisition and preservation. One of the researchers in this study, Susan Mosely-Howard, said, “We are seeing evidence that shows the degree to which individuals are connected with who they are has a ripple effect on their well-being” (Wagner, Sep). Studies such as this clearly indicate the importance of identifying strongly with tribal heritage and tradition. Connecting with a tribal community increases self-esteem and strengthens physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.

Of AYA users, 95% report that the app helps them to feel more connected to Chickasaw history and culture. This connection pays dividends in the form of physical, mental and emotional health impacts. AYA is bringing Chickasaw culture and traditions to users to enhance their lives, improve their health and inspire them to live an unconquerable life.

 If you are not an AYA user, download the app and start walking with us today. If you are already an AYA user, be sure you are getting the most out of your fitness journey with us by using all the features in the app. You can learn about all AYA’s features and answer questions about how the app works by visiting AYAWalk.com.

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Make your fitness journey more successful by walking every day with AYA.  

Anowa chipisala'cho (until we meet again),

Your AYA Team

References

Wagner, C. (Sep, 22 2016). Physical Health Tied to Native Language Use. Retrieved from Miami University: https://miamioh.edu/news/top-stories/2016/09/daryl-baldwin-native-language-and-health.html#:~:text=Various%20studies%20have%20shown%20that,result%20researchers%20call%20historical%20trauma.