Elders First Language Speakers Commemoration Luncheon tomorrow

12/09/2019

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to inform Kahnawa’kehró:non that a special Elders First Language Speakers Commemoration Luncheon is taking place tomorrow (Tuesday) at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

This event will close out the United Nations 2019 Year of Indigenous Languages and will also acknowledge the 20th anniversary of the passage of the Kahnawà:ke Language Law as well as the 10th anniversary of the Shared Vision Statement, which has a strong language component.

The event was initiated by Ietsénhaienhs Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer and is being coordinated by Tsi Niionkwarihò:ten Tsitewaháhara’n, in conjunction with the Language Network, the Kanien’kehá:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa Language & Cultural Center, and the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke to commemorate, honor and celebrate the community’s first language speakers.

Additionally, past teachers who have been part of the Kanien’kéha immersion movement as well as those who were instrumental in the creation of the Kahnawà:ke Language Law will also be honored, including some of those who have passed on.
 
“Tomorrow’s event should not only be a ceremony to honor our elder speakers, but to entertain and provide them with a traditional meal as well,” said Ietsénhaienhs Sky-Deer, who holds the Heritage Portfolio for the MCK. “We’ll also take the opportunity to showcase some of the projects that are promoting the use of Kanien’kéha in Kahnawà:ke through Skátne Enionkwaió:ten’.”
   
A significant number of honorees and their families are expected to attend the luncheon.

“In order to properly honor the Elders, the event will be held almost entirely in Kanien’kéha,” added Ietsénhaienhs Sky-Deer. “A lot of people have worked very hard to make this event as success. Along with the organizers I’d like to acknowledge the MCK’s Council of Chiefs, who are sponsoring the event. Also, the Caisse Populaire Kahnawà:ke donated $2,500 for commemorative plaques, which will be made by a Kahnawà:ke woodworking shop.

Unfortunately, due to space limitations, there are no tickets available for the general public.