Did you know the Choctaw people never say goodbye? They say “Chi pi̱sa la chike” (until we meet again).
SAN MATEO, California — Halito! The Choctaw language is more than a means of communication; it’s a living expression of the Choctaw people’s identity, values and sovereignty. Today, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) and Rosetta Stone are announcing a long-term partnership to ensure the language—and all it represents—endures.
The collaboration includes development of an immersive digital course that captures the language’s sound, rhythm and spirit. Authentic voices, imagery and cultural context will be drawn directly from the Choctaw community, so tribal members learn Chahta anumpa—the Choctaw language—through lessons that reflect everyday life and ancestral traditions.
“When we speak Chahta, our ancestors speak through us. Sharing our language ensures their voices will never fade,” said CNO Chief Gary Batton. “Each word spoken is the core that strengthens our families and our culture and secures our identity as the Chahta people. This partnership to share our language is more than a program. It is an act of love for our people and a promise to keep our culture alive for generations to come.”
A story of resilience and renewal
As the first Tribe to cross the Trail of Tears, the Choctaw people endured immense hardship yet kept their heritage alive. Today, that same strength unites more than 230,000 members of the Choctaw Nation—the third largest federally recognized Indian Nation in the United States.
Chahta anumpa has always been a source of that unity, making language revitalization a key pillar in the Nation’s efforts to protect its culture and sovereignty. Through classes, apprenticeships and community programs, CNO promotes Chahta anumpa, working to ensure future generations carry forward the wisdom embedded in every word and phrase—from Halito (hello) to Yakoke (thank you) to Chi pi̱sa la chike (until we meet again).
But like many Indigenous communities, the Choctaw face a critical moment. The number of fluent speakers has declined sharply over the past few decades, a loss accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The partnership with Rosetta Stone will make learning the language more accessible to Choctaw citizens across Oklahoma, the United States and abroad helping all members stay connected to their roots.
“Language is deeply personal. It connects us to family, history and place,” said Paul Mishkin, CEO of IXL Learning, Rosetta Stone’s parent company. “Through our Endangered Languages Program, we’re honored to work alongside the Choctaw Nation to protect not just words, but the identities and cultures they carry.”
For more than two decades, Rosetta Stone’s Endangered Languages Program has partnered with Indigenous communities worldwide to preserve, teach and revitalize languages at risk of extinction. Each initiative is a multi-year collaboration that documents pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary while embedding cultural elements—voices, songs, stories and imagery—provided by community members.
