FROM LAND TO LANGUAGE
Revitalizing Kanyen'kehá:ka Identity through Community Learning
A transformative project is taking shape in Kenhtè:ke (Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory): the Kenhtè:ke Language and Cultural Centre, set to open in fall 2025, aims to preserve and expand the understanding and use of Kanyen’kéha, the Mohawk language. Leading this initiative is Callie Hill, Chief Executive Officer of the language advocacy organization Tsi Tyónnheht Onkwawén:na (TTO), who describes how this innovative new space promises to “keep the words alive” for future generations.
This article was originally published in the Bay of Quinte Discovery Guide 11th Edition.
Written by Erika Szabo
Read time: 5 min
Supporting Language Revitalization
TTO actively engages Kenhtè:ke and surrounding communities, with 80 adults and 25 children enrolled in its programs this year. Despite funding challenges and misconceptions that Kanyen’kéha is merely a “school language,” Hill believes a community-centred space will solidify the language and culture, fostering a sense of permanence.
Looking forward, Hill is optimistic. She believes a bricks-and-mortar presence will raise awareness and establish TTO as a lasting cultural pillar in the community. “Having our own space will make people understand that we’re not going anywhere—we’re just growing.”
Creating an Intergenerational Learning Hub
TTO’s programs already span preschool to adult learners, offering a holistic, intergenerational approach to language learning. Hill aims to deepen this connection by fostering Kanyen’kéha use in homes, since this is a critical aspect of its survival. “For Indigenous languages to thrive, intergenerational learning is crucial,” she explains. “Our children need to understand that [Kanyen’kéha] isn’t just something they hear at school but belongs in their homes.”
The new centre will offer a variety of learning environments: alongside standard classrooms, there is a small recording studio and outdoor cultural spaces. A 150-person gathering space will host community events, expanded programming, and celebrations, while students can immerse themselves in traditional food preparation in the teaching kitchen. Even the building itself tells a story—its turtle-shaped design symbolizes Turtle Island.
Preserving Voices in the Recording Studio
The centre’s new recording studio will play a key role in preserving Kanyen’kéha. Since 2013, TTO has collaborated with partners like the University of Victoria to build a library of recordings, ensuring authenticity and preserving the voices of fluent speakers for future generations to hear.
Future Vision and Community Partnerships
Hill envisions a facility that reaches beyond the local community, educating visitors on Kanyen’kehá:ka culture and history. “The intent…is not just for people here in our community, it’s to reach out and educate others about who we are.” Future phases of the centre could include a small farm, outdoor classrooms, an open-air farmers’ market, and a museum to celebrate Kanyen’kehá:ka heritage.
To make these ambitions a reality, TTO relies on local support and grants for funding, with more than $10 million already contributed by the federal government and Kenhtè:ke Kanyen’kehá:ka (Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte). Additional funding is still needed, and TTO is planning a tiered fundraising campaign to expand the centre’s reach and programming.
Moving Beyond Land Acknowledgements
Hill urges non-Indigenous communities to go beyond land acknowledgements: “They must come with action,” she says. She encourages genuine engagement, suggesting that allies take tangible steps to support and learn about Indigenous languages and cultures. This could include learning more about the land we reside on, connecting to nature and reflecting on how it is connected to Indigenous culture, reading Indigenous literature, and spending time in Indigenous communities.
As the Kenhtè:ke Language and Cultural Centre takes shape, Tsi Tyónnheht Onkwawén:na is poised to revitalize the Kanyen’kéha language and Kanyen’kehá:ka culture, ensuring they thrive in the hearts and voices of future generations.
