Agalisiga Mackey: Cherokee Language, Alive in Song

From Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman Leah Roseman

Cherokee singer-songwriter Agalisiga “The Chuj” Mackey shares the story behind his debut country-folk album, created entirely in the Cherokee language with producer Jared Tyler. He discusses language revitalization, the Cherokee syllabary, immersion schools, and the impact of boarding schools. Agalisiga also reflects on Indigenous history, cultural preservation, and his musical influences—showing how traditional language and contemporary music can keep a culture thriving.

Agalisiga Mackey Music

Show notes: bring you to other episodes you'll like, newsletter sign-up to get sneak peeks, podcast merch, buy me a coffee, YouTube video, and transcript!

(00:00) Intro

(02:39)Cherokee culture and language

(10:11)When I was a Boy Tsitsutsa Tsigesv

with clip

(13:24) developing Cherokee language and culture app

(17:31) forced relocation Trail of Tears

(22:00) Agalisiga’s elders, legacy of boarding schools

(28:55) Tiny Desk experience, clip Daganigisi (I’m Gonna Leave)

(32:18) other episodes linked and ways to support this project

(33:05) Sequoyah’s Syllabary, Cherokee sounds and culture

(41:33) musical influences, clip of Gatlohiha (I’m Crying)

(48:19) Bringing the language into the present, creating the album, Jared Tyler, clip of Dvkiyohiselvi (I Shall Be Released)