Sgę:nǫˀ!

2019 marks The Six Nations Language Commission’s 12th year of operation, and we continue to work towards our vision of seeing our Haudenosaunee languages chosen as the ordinary means of communication for everyday use.

Our languages at Six Nations of the Grand River Territory are critically endangered. We currently have programs for Mohawk, Cayuga and Onondaga because there are no first language speakers for Oneida, Tuscarora or Seneca. For first language speakers, there are only 33 Cayuga, 6 Onondaga and 2 Mohawk speakers remaining (WICC, 2019). Our language programs continue to produce second language speakers, and we continue to look for support to help them achieve their goals.

The past years have demonstrated growth and demand in our adult language programs. Ideally, in order to produce Advanced- and Superior-level second language speakers, learners should be in a 4-year program (Green, 2017); right now, the adult programs only run for two. Currently, the Mohawk program (Onkwawenna Kentyohkwa) is the only one that has space and instructors to run both a year 1 and year 2 program simultaneously.

But the number of second language speakers is increasing and commitment of the program instructors and learners is commendable! And I think we can say with confidence that we are in fact meeting our vision. In academic year 2016-2017, we know that 85% of students in the Mohawk program reached or exceeded the progression from Novice low to Intermediate low. For Cayuga learners, it was 75% and Onondaga learners was 65%. In 2017-2018, success was achieved again with more than half the students reaching the next level. There are over 80 intermediate level speakers across all 3 languages since their programs began!

Funding, ample space and lack of teachers continue to be the main restrictions on the number of language learners our programs can take each year. Still, the programs are reputable and the interest from Six Nations citizens continues to grow. Costs are rising and funds do not proportionately meet the demand. Most notably, from the graduate’s pool, there are 25 people teaching Mohawk in pre-schools, public schools, universities and adult programs; there are over 10 Cayuga graduates teaching at various places as well.