We Will Speak
ᏓᏗᏬᏂᏏ
“With fewer than 1,500 fluent speakers left, a small group of Cherokee activists race to save their language from disappearing.”
Synopsis
The Cherokee language is deeply tied to Cherokee identity; yet generations of assimilation efforts by the U.S. government and anti-Indigenous stigmas have forced the Tri-Council of Cherokee tribes to declare a State of Emergency for the language in 2019. While there are 430,000 Cherokee citizens in the three federally recognized tribes, fewer than an estimated 2,000 fluent speakers remain—the majority of whom are elderly. The covid pandemic has unfortunately hastened the course. Language activists, artists, and the youth must now lead the charge of urgent radical revitalization efforts to help save the language from the brink of extinction.
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →Keli Gonzales
Self
Carolyn Swepston
Self
Schon Duncan
Self
Marion Scraper
Self
Eda Scraper
Self
Durbin Feeling
Self
Clifton Petit
Self
Weynema Smith
Self
David Crawler
Self
Betty Frogg
Self
Clara Proctor
Self
Cora Flute
Self
Gil Jackson
Self
Oleta Pritchett
Self
Bo Lossiah
Self
Marlene Ballard
Self
Ann Arneach
Self
Gary Wayne Vann
Self
Release History & Theatrical Window
Dreamspeakers International Indigenous Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Schon Duncan, Michael McDermit
- Original Score
- Matt Miller
- Original Title
- ᏓᏗᏬᏂᏏ
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 34m
- Production Studios
- Blurry Pictures
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Schon Duncan, Michael McDermit
Matt Miller
Jacob Koestler
Katherine Harper, Schon Duncan, Jacob Koestler, Diana Baldovino, Mark Shlomchik
Department Leadership Roster
Schon Duncan
Producer
Jacob Koestler
Editor
Jacob Koestler
Producer
Michael McDermit
Producer
Schon Duncan
Director
Michael McDermit
Director
Laura Heberton
Producer
Keli Gonzales
Producer
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for We Will Speak.
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Frequently Asked Questions About We Will Speak
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is We Will Speak about?
The Cherokee language is deeply tied to Cherokee identity; yet generations of assimilation efforts by the U.S. government and anti-Indigenous stigmas have forced the Tri-Council of Cherokee tribes to declare a State of Emergency for the language in 2019. While there are 430,000 Cherokee citizens in the three federally recognized tribes, fewer than an estimated 2,000 fluent speakers remain—the majority of whom are elderly. The covid pandemic has unfortunately hastened the course. Language activists, artists, and the youth must now lead the charge of urgent radical revitalization efforts to help save the language from the brink of extinction.
Who directed We Will Speak?
We Will Speak was directed by Schon Duncan, Michael McDermit.
Who stars in We Will Speak?
The principal cast of We Will Speak includes Keli Gonzales, Carolyn Swepston, Schon Duncan, Marion Scraper, Eda Scraper.
When was We Will Speak released and how long is it?
We Will Speak was released in 2023 with a total runtime of 1h 34m.
Who composed the musical score for We Will Speak?
The original motion picture soundtrack for We Will Speak was composed by Matt Miller.