May 28, 2025
Director Liberty had the opportunity of visiting Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, guided by Dr. Daniel Brant and Amy Brant. The day was filled with inspiring moments highlighting the community’s leadership in language revitalization, education, and cultural preservation. From early learners to adult speakers, it was inspiring to see Kanyen’kehà:ka (Mohawk) knowledge and ways of being, thriving across generations.
Tsi Tyónnheht Onkwawén:n
The first stop was a warm welcome at the Tsi Tyónnheht Onkwawén:na (TTO) Language and Culture Centre, where Director Liberty met with CEO Callie Hill and teacher Tkarahkwénhas. They shared stories of nurturing young learners in Kanyen’kehà:ka language and culture with dedication and joy.
Founded in 2000, TTO’s name means keeping the words alive, and its mandate is to revitalize Onkwehonweneha (our way of being in the world). Programs range from nursery and primary school (K–4) to accredited and non-accredited adult learning, with partnerships that extend the reach of Kanyen’kehà:ka education. TTO is a welcoming hub for anyone exploring the Rotinonhsyón:ni (Haudenosaunee) worldview.
The Kenhté:ke Language and Cultural Centre
Director Liberty then visited the construction site of the soon-to-be Kenhtè:ke Language and Cultural Centre, an innovative Net Zero facility on Salmon River Road. The 10,000-square-foot building features a longhouse design, with its layout, landscaping, and parking lot forming the shape of a turtle from above. Inside, the new Centre will house three classrooms, a full teaching kitchen, an administration area, a boardroom, an art studio, an AV recording booth, archival space, and a gathering hall large enough to host up to 150 people. This summer, local youth will participate in an eight-week paid program building furniture for the centre, ensuring it reflects the community’s creativity and hands-on involvement. The Kenhtè:ke Centre is more than a building, it is a living, breathing hub for Kanyen’kehà:ka language and culture, and a source of pride and inspiration for everyone involved.
Quinte Mohawk School
At Quinte Mohawk School, Director Liberty experienced a learning environment where language and culture are part of everyday life. Vibrant murals throughout the school bring Kanyen’kehà:ka stories to life, offering a visual reminder of the knowledge, teachings, and histories carried by the community. By blending technology with culturally grounded learning, students gain skills to thrive today while staying connected to who they are.
Ohahase Education Centre
The visit continued to Ohahase Education Centre, serving Grades 9 to 12. In 2024, the school embraced a land-based education approach, integrating culturally grounded student ideas into the curriculum. This fosters practical, meaningful learning and personalized pathways for each student’s future. Director Liberty met with Principal Paul Pickard and Kanyen’kéha Language and Indigenous Studies teacher Andrew Brant to learn more about the innovative ways they support student growth.
Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte Administration Office
At the administration office, Director Liberty met with Chief R. Donald Maracle, who shared insights on the community’s history and priorities, and with Karahkwinéhtha Jessica Brant, Community Language Engagement Coordinator, who is creating new pathways for Kanyen’kehà:ka speakers. These conversations reflected the care, vision, and commitment driving the community’s language revitalization work.
Adult Immersion Graduation
The day concluded with TTO’s Shatiwennakará:tats Adult Immersion Graduation at the Community Centre. The celebration honoured ten (10) recent graduates of the Kanyen’kehà:ka language program with enough fluency to teach the adult immersion program. Families, educators, leaders, and community members shared in the excitement, enjoying a delicious feast and the warmth of community connection. A recent highlight of the program’s success is that two of the graduates have already stepped into new roles, as the teacher and teaching assistant for the very program they completed. This is an inspiring reflection of how the program is nurturing the next generation of language leaders and strengthening community capacity from within.
Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory is fostering a vibrant, living future for Kanyen’kehà:ka language and culture. The Commission is deeply inspired by the creativity, dedication, and heart that drives this work, and grateful for the relationships and connections that made this remarkable visit possible.
