Preaching the Gospel the Baptist way in Cherokee

The missionary movement in into Cherokee country started in the early 1800’s. Some of the earliest Baptist missionaries were Jesse Bushyhead, John Timson and Kaneeka (John Wickliffe). These fiery Cherokees helped create in earnest the Cherokee Baptist which eventually became the most dominant religion of the Cherokee. By 1821 the last bastion of the practitioners of traditional Cherokee religion were the poor largely full blood Cherokee in the Valley Town near the Hiwasse River in Western North Carolina. It was around this time that Baptist Minister Evan Jones began his ministry to the Cherokee in this area. Out of this community came the new breed of Cherokee ministers.

DURBIN FEELING
Baptist Preacher and Renowned Cherokee Linguist

Biography

EDUCATION

In Progress

Doctor of Philosophy in Social Sciences
University of California

Pending

Doctor of Humane Letters, an Honorary Doctorate from Ohio State University
Department of Linguistics to be conferred March 19, 2004

1992

Master of Arts in Social Sciences
University of California

1979

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism
Northeastern State University
Tahlequah Oklahoma

1966

Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts
Bacone College
Muskogee Oklahoma

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2001-pres.

Professor, Native American Languages, University of Oklahoma, Norman

2000-2001

Adjunct Professor of Cherokee
Rogers State University

1993-1999

Adjunct Professor of Cherokee
Department of Languages
University of Tulsa

1992-99

Tribal Linguist
Cherokee Nation

1988-91

Instructor, Cherokee Institute (summer) University of California

1988-89

Host, Human Journey Television Productions
California State University, Fullerton

1986-87

Radio News Broadcaster in Cherokee
KGCR Radio in Pryor Ok

1986

Linguistic Consultant, Summer Institute of Linguistics
Wycliffe Bible Translators, Norman Ok

1985-87

Director, Summer Institute of Cherokee Literacy
Cherokee Nation

1984-87

Cherokee Language Specialist
Cherokee Nation

1980-83

Director, Cherokee Adult Education
Tahlequah Oklahoma

1980

Linguistic Consultant at Bacone College

1979

Program Consultant, Cherokee Bilingual Education
Cherokee, North Carolina

1977

Program Evaluator, Mississippi Choctaw Bilingual Education
Philadelphia, MS

1976-79

Director, Adult Education Program, Cherokee Nation

1975-76

News Editor, Cherokee Nation Communication Center

1973-75

Cherokee Language Specialist, Cherokee Bilingual Education

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

2002

A Handbook of the Cherokee Verb: A Preliminary Study, in collaboration with Craig Kopris, Ph.D, University of Maryland; Jordan Lachler, ABD, University of New Mexico; and Charles Van Tuyl, Ph.D., M.D.
Funded by the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation.

2000-2001

Tone Pattern and Metrical Effects in Cherokee Nouns, in collaboration with Dr. Keith Johnson, Ohio State University, and Dr. Marcia Haag, University of Oklahoma.
Funded by the National Science Foundation.

1989-93

Research on Isolating Cherokee Verb Stems. A Study of Cherokee Verb Morphology.
Funded by the University of California.

1987

Research Assistantship with Dr. William C. Watt. A Project on Semiotics,Department of Cognitive Sciences, University of California.
Funded by the University of California.

1988-89

Cherokee Institute, University of California. A Preliminary Study of The Evolution of the Cherokee Writing System.
Funded by the University of California.

1981-83

Research on Cherokee Grammar with Dr. William Pulte, Dept of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University.
Funded by the National Science Foundation.

BIBLIOGRAPHY AND MONOGRAPHS

In Prep.

A Modern Translation of the Cherokee New Testament Cherokee Hymn Book.

2002

A Handbook of the Cherokee Verb: A Preliminary Study, in collaboration with Craig Kopris, Ph.D, University of Maryland; Jordan Lachler, ABD, University of New Mexico; and Charles Van Tuyl, Ph.D., M.D.

1992

Authored, A Structured Approach to Learning the Basic Inflections of the Cherokee Verb. A Master's Thesis University of California.

1991

Edited, SEE SAY WRITE. A method of teaching Cherokee Literacy (includes audio tape) 211 pp. Cherokee Nation.

1987

Authored, The Use of Cherokee in Christian Religious Services, a paper presented at the Seventh Annual Native American Language Issues Institute, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. 4 pp.

1986

Authored, Twentieth Century Cherokee: A Nation with a Quadrifid of Linguistic Needs, in Proceedings of the Sixth Annual International Language Issues Institute, pp. 27 29, Norman, Ok.

1982

Translated, Christmas in Those Days, a book of poems by Mary Ziegenfuss. Indian University Press, 124 pp.

1982

Translated, Rattlesnake Band and Other Poems, a book of poems by Robert J.Conley, Indian University Press.

1981

Co authored, Cherokee: A Tone Lancer a Pitch Accent Language? A paper presented at the American Indian/Inner Asian (Tibetan) Bicultural Conference, 6 pp. Bacone College.

1981

Co authored, The Nineteenth Century Cherokee Grammar, Anthropological Linguistics, 19(6): 274 297.

1975

Authored, Cherokee-English Dictionary, Cherokee Nation Tahlequah, Ok.

1975

Co authored, An Outline of Cherokee Grammar, an appendix to the Cherokee English dictionary. Tahlequah, Ok.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

2001- present

University of Oklahoma College of Arts and Sciences

2000-01

Rogers State University School of Fine Arts

1993-99

University of Tulsa Department of Languages

1988-91

University of California, Cherokee Institute: Cherokee Literacy, Cherokee culture, Cherokee language, History of the Cherokees, Meaning BasedTranslation and Interpreting, Cherokee Semiotics

1985-87

Cherokee Nation Summer Institute of Cherokee Literacy: Cherokee Literacy,Cherokee language, Meaning Based Translation and Interpreting, Cherokee News Writing and Editing, Cherokee phonetic and syllabic Systems of writing

1973-75

Northeastern State University, Claremore Junior College, high schools and churches: Cherokee Language Conversational course, History of the Cherokees, Cherokee phonetic and syllabic Systems of writing

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Ministry Training Institute - Oklahoma Baptist University extension courses (open)

Wycliffe Bible Translators’ Training Conference - Waxhaw, NC (1996)

Wycliffe Bible Translators’ Training Conference - Phoenix, AZ (1996)

Wycliffe Bible Translators’ Training Conference - Huntington Beach, CA (1994)

Laubach Literacy Course - Syracuse, NY (1991)

Ventriloquism Course - Littleton, CO (1984)

SEMINARS and WORKSHOPS PRESENTED

Indigenous Language Insititute Conference, Alburquerque, N.M. (2002)

Linguistic Society of America Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C. (2002)

Native American Studies, University of Wisconsin, Madison (2000)

Native American Studies, University of Oklahoma (1997)

Oklahoma Native Languages Association, Preston, OK (1997)

The Indigenous Languages Institute (ILI) Santa, Fe, NM (1997)

Native Language Symposium at the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, DC (1996)

East/West Joint Cherokee Council Meeting, Cherokee, NC (1996)

Native Language Sovereignty Symposium, Tulsa, Ok (1995 96)

East/West Joint Cherokee Council Meeting, Cherokee, NC (1995)

Linguistics Conference, Williamsburg, VA (1995)

Native American Language Issues Institute, Oklahoma City, (1986)

Native American Language Issues Institute, Billings, MT (1982)

American Indian/Inner Asian (Tibetan) Bicultural Conference, Bacone College, (1980)

Linguistics Conference, Salt Lake City (1975)

Linguistics Conference, Blacksburg, VA (1974)

Linguistics Conference, Cherokee, NC (1974)

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS (civilian and military)

Native American Language Issues Institute:

National Association for Bilingual Education;

Endangered Lang gage Fund, Yale University (board member

Indigenous Language Institute,

The Society for the Study of the Indigenous Languages of the Americas (SSILA),

Oklahoma Native Languages Association;

Vietnam Era Veterans Intertribal Association:

Honor Guard, Color Guard

CERTIFICATES/AWARDS/DECORATIONS (civilian)

Chilocco Indian High School Hall of Fame inducted by the Chilocco Alumni Association (2003)

Perry Aunko Language Preservation award from the Greater Tulsa Native American Affiliates (2001)

Mother Tongue Translator certificate for satisfactorily completing a 40 hour workshop in Translation Methods, Wycliffe Bible Translators, received in Phoenix, AZ (1996)

Laubach Literacy Action certificate, for satisfactorily completing 12 hour workshop. Emphasis on tutoring Literacy, conducting in accordance with approved Laubach Literacy Action standards, presented by Laubach Literacy Action, Syracuse, NY (1991)

Sequoyah Award, for diligence and perseverance in the perpetuation and preservation of Cherokee culture and heritage. Presented by the Eastern Band of Cherokees (NC) and the Cherokee Nation (Ok) received in Cherokee, North Carolina (1988)

Outstanding Young Men of America award, presented by the U. S. Jaycees in recognition of outstanding professional achievement, superior leadership ability and exceptional service to the community, Atlanta, Georgia (1985)

CERTIFICATES/AWARDS/DECORATIONS (military)

National Defense Medal, Expert Badge (M 14, M 16, M 60), Vietnam Service Medal,
Vietnam Campaign Medal, OS Bars, Air Crewmen Wings (195`h Attack Helicopter Company), Purple Heart Medal, Specialist Fifth Class Rank, Presidential Unit Citation,
Good Conduct Medal, Honorable Discharge Certificate

EXPERIENCE IN CHRISTIAN SERVICE

2001

Associate Pastor, Indian Nations Baptist Church, Seminole, Oklahoma

2000

Ordained to the Gospel Ministry/Associate Pastor, First Indian Baptist Church, Tahlequah OK

2000

Awarded a Pastoral Ministries certificate from the Baptist Sunday School Board, Nashville, TN for completing a 5 Course Module in Pastoral Ministries.

2000

Awarded a General Church Leadership certificate from the Baptist Sunday School Board, Nashville, TN for completing a 5 Course Module in General Church Leadership.

1999-01

Radio Minister, on the Good News Tellers a Cherokee Radio Gospel Ministry, Sunday mornings, 9:00 9:30. KTLQ 1350 AM, Tahlequah

1998-02

Children's Church/Youth Pastor, First Indian Baptist Tahlequah

1998

Licensed to Preach the Gospel. Credentials given at First Indian Baptist Church, Tahlequah, Ok

1996-99

Clerk, Cherokee Baptist Association Cherokee Baptist Association

1996

Ministry Training Institute, extension courses from Oklahoma Baptist University. 27 SH earned to date

1994-98

Sunday School Director, First Indian Baptist, Tahlequah

1990-92

Chairman of the Board of Deacons, Park Hill Baptist, Park Hill, Ok

1980-87

Music and Youth Director, Park Hill Baptist Church, Park Hill, OK

1985-00

Member of The Gideons International, Tahlequah chapter

1973

Ordained as Deacon, Little Rock Indian Baptist Church, Locust Grove, Ok

1968

Served as Chaplain's Assistant at the U. S. Army Post in Ft. Eustis, VA

1965-66

President, Bacone Student Christian Union (BSCU). Bacone College

1965-66

President, Bacone College Choir Bacone College, Muskogee, Ok

1959

Team Captain, Bible Rally 1960. Little Rock Elementary School, Locust Grove, Ok

1958

Baptized at Little Rock Indian Baptist Church. Locust Grove, Ok