Hamilton public board pauses Mohawk language program at 1 of 2 elementary schools offering it

One of two Hamilton public elementary schools offering Mohawk language classes has suspended the program for this fall as the board conducts a review that will include looking at how it recruits instructors.

Now, returning students who were learning the Indigenous language, which in its own language is Kanien'kéha, must change schools or switch to studying French in September.

Christina Barahona, a local mother of three Indigenous students, said not having the class will mean her youngest, who's returning to Queen Mary Elementary School this fall, will be "losing a piece of her identity."

"My kids loved the program," she told CBC Hamilton, adding, "I was pretty upset" after learning it wouldn't be offered next year.

Barahona said her family changed schools so the children could study Kanien'kéha and "connect with their community."

She said her children are Onondaga from Six Nations, and while Kanien'kéha is not their people's traditional language, it's close enough that learning it can allow greater participation in the culture, including ceremonies.

In an email, Nick Benner, a spokesperson for the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB), confirmed to CBC Hamilton that the school in the Crown Point East neighbourhood has paused its Mohawk as a second language (MSL) course.

In the last school year, about 40 students between Grades 4 and 8 were enrolled in the program at Queen Mary.

"The Indigenous Education Department will begin a program review process to determine how we can best support learners and families with accessing Indigenous language instruction that is locally relevant and responsive to learners and their communities, identities, cultures and interests," said a statement shared by Benner.

The statement was co-signed by HWDSB's Indigenous education lead, Jolene John, the board's System Principal for Restorative Educational LeaderSHIP, Lyndsy Baillie, and Queen Mary principal Stephanie McNeill.

"Spending necessary time to review and renew teaching and learning practices to ensure that Indigenous language instruction is accurate, authentic and accountable to Indigenous learners, families and communities is vital," they said, adding the board is searching for ways to recruit and retain language speakers and teachers. 

In response to followup questions from CBC Hamilton, John added that "ongoing work in partnership with human resources is required to untangle understandings regarding MSL teacher candidates."

John said job postings for the position ask for "qualified" candidates, referring to the Ontario College of Teachers and collective agreement definitions.

"This counters many 'qualified' Indigenous language speakers of whom are not certified."