Film/Video
A time-traveling musical adventure to keep alive the Cherokee language for youth ages 5-8.
In response to the Cherokee declaration of emergency for the language, award-winning multimedia artist Chris Griffith (Cherokee Nation, OK) is producing the first 5 episodes of ᏃᏈᏏ ᏓᎦᏏ Noquisi Dagsi STAR TURTLE.
STAR TURTLE follows Turtle and Wabbit’s rocking race through time and space to save Grandmother Turtle. With 21st century twists on traditional characters and catchy original songs, each episode of STAR TURTLE introduces basic Cherokee language concepts, history and culture while imagining a vibrant Cherokee future.
Combining live action with puppetry, our dynamic duo will take viewers on an exuberant musical ride, creating an irresistible gravitational pull into the Cherokee language.
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ᏃᏈᏏ ᏓᎦᏏ Noquisi Dagsi Star Turtle
PREVIEW
EPISODE 1: “ᏃᏊ Nogwu! Now!”
The diabolical Kolana Ahyelisgi spies on young turtle Noquisi Dagsi as his Grandma reassures him that he always will be worthy of his name, Star Turtle. Flash to the future: grown up Dagsi commands a spaceship to rocket forward to save Grandma from Kolana’s clutches.
EPISODE 2: ᏣᎳᎩ Tsalagi
COMING SOON!
On the Turtleship, Dagsi’s sidekick, Jisdu Wabbit, traces the clues of Grandma’s disappearance. Dagsi realizes that a key to finding Grandma is Tsalagi, the Cherokee language.
The main song is “The Ballad of Tsalagi (ᏗᎧᏃᎩᏛ ᏣᎳᎩ),” declaring that now is time to take action to keep alive the Cherokee language.
EPISODE 3: Treaty
COMING SOON!
Kolana Ahyelisgi shapeshifts to pose as Grandma and trick Dagsi and Jisdu into landing on a candy planet. With the help of Indigenous beings of the planet, Dagsi and Jisdu gain new understanding of treaties. Kolana steals their ship.
The main song is “Treaty (You’re Not Speaking My language Ꮭ ᏱᏗᏠᏯ ᎢᏗᏬᏂᎯᏍᏗ)” which explains the basic concept of treaties.
EPISODE 4: ᎠᏲᎧ Ayokah
COMING SOON!
Dagsi and Jisdu cling on to the ship as Kolana Ahyelisgi goes back in time to 1821 to interrupt Cherokee history. They witness 9-year old Ayokah and her father Sequoyah presenting his newly created system of written language.
As the council approves Sequoyah’s syllabary, Kolana steals the scroll printed with all the sounds of the Cherokee language. Dagsi and Jisdu join Ayokah and Sequoyah to thwart Kolana.
The cosmos crack open, sweeping Kolana, Dagsi and Jisdu into the future.
The main song is “ᏗᎧᏃᎩᏓ ᎠᏲᎧ Ayokah’s Song,” in which Ayokah proudly talks about her role in helping her father with the written system of Cherokee.
EPISODE 5: ᎦᏚᎩ Gadugi
COMING SOON!
Carried by the cosmic whirl, Dagsi and Jisdu find Gadugi, a future land of cooperation. They reunite with Grandma, who shows them the Treaty of All Grandmas.
The joyful celebration bursts Kolana Ahyelisgi with an explosion that sends Dagsi and Jisdu back in time. Dagsi and Jisdu vow to make Gadugi come true.
The main song is “Gadugi Boogie (ᏗᎧᏃᎩᏛ ᎦᏚᎩ)” an upbeat celebration of coming together to lift each other up in the wisdom of the grandmothers.
Behind-the-Scenes
