‘It’s momentous:’ Mohawk language program to launch at First Nations University

The First Nations University of Canada will be bringing another form of Indigenous language to its school that is considered a first of its kind.

Starting in the fall, the Regina-based university will offer a Mohawk Language Certificate program through a partnership with the Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre.

The Mohawk language is primarily spoken in Ontario and Quebec.

The program — also called Yonkwatkontahkwenhatye, which means “We are continuing in Mohawk” — will consist of 15 credit hours of Mohawk language courses and general courses in accordance with the First Nations University’s Language Certificate requirements.

First Nations University president Jacqueline Ottmann said the school will be working with the instructors.

“The Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre has had success with this particular program for the last two years and so what we are doing is certifying the language program,” she said.

She added there has been a resurgence in people speaking the Mohawk language.

“We are committed to supporting that resurgence of Indigenous languages and there have been pockets of success across the country in terms of revitalization,” Ottmann said.

She believes the announcement of this program is an example of reconciliation.

Ottman explained that with the implementation of the Indian Act and the residential school system came language loss.

“The more that we can invest and resource and support language revitalization, projects, initiatives, programming (and) camps, it is a demonstration of reconciliation,” she said.

During a presentation on Friday, Ottmann and Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre executive director Jennifer Dockstader signed the contract for the program.

Ottmann called this a new beginning.

“We will be supporting other Indigenous language programming and certifying those language programs,” she said. “The Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre has done amazing work in this area of language revitalization.”

Ottmann added the signing of the contract was emphasizing the commitment to language revitalization.

“It’s momentous. It’s a really good feeling,” Ottmann said.

She also called Indigenous language a cornerstone for the First Nations University.

As of right now, there aren’t any students registered for the program.