28 Kanien'kehá:ka teachers graduate from community-based university program
CBC
Iohsennóntion Lahache always wanted to be a teacher.
Once she started working as a Kanien'kéha (Mohawk) language teacher at a local elementary school five years ago, she knew she wanted to further her education to become certified.
After four years of teaching during the day and going to school at night, Lahache is among 28 Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) teachers from Kahnawake, south of Montreal to complete a bachelor of education degree in their community.
"These last four years have been busy, at times difficult, but most of all it was rewarding," she said.
"I am happy to take all of the teachings I have learned and bring it back to the community and my classroom."
The program is a partnership between the Kahnawake Education Center and McGill University to offer a four-year bachelor of education program in the community with local instructors and curriculum.
"It's for community, by community," said Bethany Douglas, post-secondary distance counsellor and program co-ordinator at the education centre.
The classes took place three days a week during the evenings, and course outlines were vetted by the education centre's curriculum team to make sure they were infused with its curriculum framework.
For graduate Raven Swamp, the structure of the program reinforced Kanien'kehá:ka worldviews and ways of being.
Both Lahache and Swamp learned to speak Kanien'kéha through the Ratiwennahní:rats Adult Immersion Program, and now teach in the language to elementary students.
"Many of our teachers in the past were first language speakers who possessed no teaching background yet their teachings live on through us," said Swamp.
"By doing this program in Kahnawake Mohawk Territory, it validates historical and traditional knowledge as a vital part of who we are."
The demand for teachers in the community has been high, said Douglas, following a needs assessment of upcoming retirements.
Tehokwiráthe Cross joined the program in its third year, having completed a certificate teaching program prior. He is also a graduate of Ratiwennahní:rats and now teaches its new cohort of students.
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