The Ontario-based Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre (FENFC), First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv), and the University of Regina (U of R) signed a partnership agreement that will see FNUniv offer its first Mohawk Language Certificate Program.
The program, Yonkwatkontahkwenhatye (We are Continuing in Mohawk), will launch at FNUniv in Fall 2023.
The two-year online Certificate of Mohawk program is developed and delivered in partnership between FNUniv and FENFC. The program is the first of its kind, comprised of 15 credit hours of Mohawk Language courses and general courses in accordance with FNUniv Language Certificate requirements.
Jacqueline Ottmann, President of FNUniv, spoke about the importance of Indigenous language programming.
“Language teaching is critically important, especially as many Indigenous languages are or are becoming endangered. At FNUniv, as Canada’s only national Indigenous university, we strive to protect and preserve Indigenous languages, which are inextricably tied to our cultures and our identities as First Nations people,” she said. “By collaborating with FENFC in Ontario to expand our language programming to include Mohawk, we are continuing our work to teach more languages that are representative of more nations across turtle island, and that’s something we’re very proud of.”
Through this new partnership, Mohawk language students can continue to study Mohawk and advance their proficiency in the language while earning a Certificate of Mohawk from the FNUniv.
Jennifer Dockstader, Executive Director of the Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre, said they are honoured to partner with the FNUni to bring university-level classes in Mohawk.
“We are hopeful about our continued partnership and for a future where all of the Haudenosaunee languages are taught at First Nations University.”
The funders who helped make this possible include the First Nations Confederacy of Cultural and Educational Programs (FNCCEC) and the Ministry of Canadian Heritage.
