MCK sends condolences to the family of Tiorahkwathe

07/20/2018

The MCK sends its condolences to the family of Tiorahkwathe Gilbert, who passed on to the spirit world on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at the age of sixty-eight (68).
 
Tiorahkwathe served five (5) consecutive Council terms from 1996-2006 and worked on various files including; Education, Nation Building, Specific Claims, The Seigneury Land Grievance, Traditional Government and Language & Culture.
 
He was most known as a strong advocate of Language and Culture initiatives.
 
In his early years, Tiorahkwathe, was a great lacrosse player and loved the game. One of his favorite stories was when he and his teammates would speak in the Kanien’kéha language and their opposition didn’t know what they were saying, giving them an advantage.
 
Known by his English name in his earlier years (Jimmy Gilbert), Tiorahkwathe was one of several Kahnawakehronon who insisted to be called by his Kanien’kéha name and the importance of using it. Over the years, people mostly referred to him as Tiorahkwathe and not Jimmy, something he was very proud of. He is one of many who insist on using their full Kanien’kéha name and didn’t want it shortened. Tiorahkwathe was also school teacher who taught the Kanien’kéha language to many students and he was known for his unique way of teaching. He brought that unique ability to work every day. 
 
In 2010, Tiorahkwathe worked with the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, where he broadcasted play-by-play coverage in Kanien’kéha, for the Vancouver Olympics. A first in Canadian history for Indigenous languages.
 
“We lost a fluent speaker who cared about the language and it’s a sad day,” said Ratsenhaiens Lindsay Leborgne, who sat on Council with Tiorahkwathe for many years.