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Tribal educational television station launched in OklahomaNov 17, 2010 (Indian Country Today - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- CONCHO, Okla. - Oklahoma is known as Native America and now the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes have the opportunity to educate and preserve their cultural heritage via the airways. The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes were awarded a grant from the United States Department of Commerce. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration awarded the funds under the Public Telecommunications Facilities Program. This grant will enable the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes to assemble a digital low-power television station in Concho, Okla. and will serve approximately 39,000 people. "This educational television station will enhance efforts to promote education and preserve the history, language and culture of our tribes," said Janice Prairie Chief Boswell, Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes governor. "We are delighted to have the opportunity to develop an educational system that will strengthen the vision of the tribes." "The possibilities are endless," said Teresa Dorsett, executive director of education. "The preservation of our tribal languages has been challenging to say the least and to have the opportunity to use this form of mass communication to not only educate tribal members but residents of Western Oklahoma on Cheyenne and Arapaho culture and history is long overdue." The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes Department of Education and its media production studio were instrumental in obtaining the grant. Billy Williamson, media production manager, also gives credit to Rep. Mary Fallin and Jim Gale, chief engineer for PBS affiliate KNME in Albuquerque, N.M. "Most recognize that new language has emerged in the world, one that has grown to reach all nations with equal effect and understanding," Williamson said. "It is the language of mass communications - and mass media has become the second language of our children." The construction of the television station will launch in 2011 and is expected to air later in the year or early 2012. For more information on the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, visit www.c-a-tribes.org. To see more of the Indian Country Today, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to www.indiancountry.com. Copyright (c) 2010, Indian Country Today, Oneida, N.Y. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. |