Public Lecture: Reflection, Resistance & Resilience: The Past, Present, and Future of Indigenous Language Reclamation Efforts in Kahnawà:ke

The presenters (Kahtehrón:ni Iris Stacey and Wahéhshon Shiann Whitebean) will share reflections on the past, present and future of Kanien’kéha language revitalization in Kahnawà:ke, Mohawk Territory. Together they will describe pivotal events impacting the language revitalization movement in their community through family stories, language learning journeys, research, and activism. This presentation traces key steps in the development of strategic language learning opportunities through education reform and language advocacy, featuring the shift from Indian Day Schools to community-governed schooling. The presenters will propose pathways forward and the integral role of women L2 speakers and learners in revitalizing Kanien’kéha in Kahnawà:ke.

Where: Leacock 232

This event is part of the 26th Workshop on Structure and Constituency in Languages of the Americas (WSCLA 26) being hosted by McGill University in person on 28–30 April 2023. Read more here. 

Speaker bios:

Kahtehrón:ni Iris Stacey

Turtle Clan, Kanien’kehá:ka of Kahnawà:ke

PhD Candidate, ABD

Integrated Studies in Education, McGill University

Vanier Scholar

Bio

Kahtehrón:ni is turtle clan of the Kanien’kehá:ka Nation from Kahnawà:ke, Mohawk Territory. She is a traditional Haudenosaunee woman that has extensive experience doing language work in her community. She is the curriculum team coordinator at the Kahnawà:ke Education Center, leading the development of their N-11 curriculum. He doctoral research investigates the integral role of women in revitalizing Kanien’kéha in Kahnawà:ke, focused on supporting advanced level L2 speakers through Haudenosaunee centric pedagogies and the resurgence of Haudenosaunee pathways in education.

Wahéhshon Shiann Whitebean

Wolf Clan, Kanien’kehá:ka of Kahnawà:ke

PhD Candidate (ABD), Educational Studies

DISE, McGill University

Vanier Scholar

Bio

Wahéhshon is a traditional Wolf Clan woman of the Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) Nation at Kahnawà:ke. As a second language learner and language advocate, her doctoral research on Indian Day Schools examines the multigenerational impacts, including language loss and language reclamation. She worked at the Kahnawà:ke Education Center for several years on language and culture revitalization projects, and is currently the Education Research Coordinator & Ethics Chair at the KEC.