WSCLA Conference (McGill University)

My colleague Kahtehrón:ni Stacey and I were honoured to be invited to co-present at the Workshop on Structure & Consistency in Languages of the America’s (WSCLA) conference at McGill University on Friday April 28, 2023. Our talk featured our family stories, personal language learning journeys, and a recap of the efforts made in Kahnawà:ke in language reclamation for over fifty years.

REFLECTION, RESISTANCE, & RESILIENCE: The past, present, and future of Indigenous language reclamation efforts in Kahnawà:ke

I am presently in the analysis stage of my doctoral research. I briefly discussed one of the themes that I am exploring in my research, language – which includes: language loss/shift as a result of Indian Day Schools, impacts of Indian Day Schools on language & cultural identity transmission, and language reclamation as a healing process from multigenerational trauma.

Kahtehrón:ni spoke about her important work exploring new pedagogical tools for advanced second language learners, specifically Haudenosaunee women. This included a structural approach (lexical expansion & grammar refinement) and a communicative approach (kin focused communication & oral tradition). This is a promising and exciting framework for Rotinonhsión:ni advanced language pedagogy!

Niawenhkó:wa to the organizers, student volunteers, and attendees. We had many great questions and discussion following our presentation. It was truly a pleasure to have so many community members and scholars engaged in discussions about Onkwehonwehnéha 🙂

*Photo courtesy of Professor Jessica Coon, Linguistics McGill University.

~ Wahéhshon

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SILS27 Conference Presentation

Very excited to be co-presenting at this years Stabilizing Indigenous Languages Symposium #SILS27 ! My team will be presenting on the Kahnawà:ke Education Center’s NEȾOLṈEW̱ project which focuses on supporting in-service immersion teachers.

Title: Defining the role of an Indigenous language teacher coach

Description: The Kahnawake Education Center is carrying out a study that looks to define the role and impacts of an Indigenous language teacher coach. The project is focused on supporting our immersion teachers to develop their professional capacities in three areas: 1)teaching pedagogy, 2)cultural knowledge and 3)language proficiency. This will lead to the development of a strong professional development plan for all our in-service Kanien’keha immersion teachers. The project is part of the NETOLNEW Partnership Grant involving 9 communities across Canada, headed by Indigenous scholars Onowa McIvor & Peter Jacobs.

My co-presenters are Kahtehrón:ni Iris Stacey & Tsohahí:io Lauren Deom

Monday June 14, 2021 @2:15 pm (eastern) – sessions will be recorded

Register online: https://sils27.ca/

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