My indigenous language belongs in my email signature, and it's not up for debate, Chad.

Chukma, hallito! Salhalchifoat Wulf Roby. Chikasha soya. Aamintilli Do'Pika.

Did you read the above sentences? Try to bring the unfamiliar syllables into your mouth like a first taste of a new food. Does anything look familiar? Maybe you've seen some local art exhibits or subscribed to a tribal newsletter or something and you've seen a few of these words. Or you haven't and you don't, and it looks like gibberish to you. What do you do?

Several years ago, I was privileged to spend time with many Chickasaw tribal elders at an annual retreat. One of the elders, Rose, who has long been involved in language preservation in our tribe, told me something I'll carry with me always: "Say the words, Hercules. Even if it's 5 words you know, use them."

The Hercules nickname and the other stuff she said is another story (the title is "Honkso," remind me to write it, and if you see her, holler that word at her and watch her crack up). After that, I started using our language, Chikashanompa, in emails, in person, in cards--anywhere I would say the words I know well enough to comfortably say them to anyone: Chukma, Yakoke, Chi pisa la cho, Chiholloli --I also know a few animals, colors, numbers, and phrases I picked up from hanging around aunties and uncles.

So I use them. Pretty much every email starts with Chukma/hello [person's name]. I had a stretch where I was sending lots of emails to people I didn't know or have previous interactions with, people far removed from the Chickasaw Nation reservation area, the 13.5 counties I'd lived and worked in all my life.

Something happened that had never happened before. People were confused:

"Who is Chukma? That's not my name."

"I thought it was spam because of the name Chukma."

In the span of three weeks, I had a dozen or so responses like that, and honestly it kind of made me mad. But I didn't stop. When someone said they were confused, I explained exactly what I said above, but in fewer words because I wanted them to read the whole thing. I sent links to my tribe's website so they could learn about us on their own, if they wanted to.

Some were kind and understanding, but there were a few who complained. Inappropriate, unprofessional, etc. Well, they were somewhat tersely reminded of the status of indigenous language and culture. (Hint: colonizers were/are involved in this issue.)

So what's my point? It's in the title: My indigenous language belongs in my email signature, and it's not up for debate, Chad. /send tweet

[Did you read all of this to find the translation of that first paragraph? Bless your heart. Chukma, hallito! (Hello in Chickasaw/Choctaw) Salhalchifoat Wulf Roby. (My name is Wulf Roby.) Chikasha soya. (I am Chickasaw) Aamintilli Do'Pika. (I live in Topeka.) other translations: Chi pisa la cho (I'll see you later), Chiholloli (I love you)]