Developing Pathways for Indigenous Language Revitalization in Ogwehoweh languages

Abstract

In 2015 the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada published its final report, which contained 94 Calls to Action – recommendations for spurring movement toward healing the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples in Canada. The sixteenth Call to Action was for “post-secondary institutions to create university and college degree and diploma programs in Aboriginal languages.” Although several Ontario universities offer language courses as part of baccalaureate studies, Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP) is the first postsecondary institute to establish an Indigenous language university degree: The Bachelor of Arts in Ogwehoweh Languages (BAOL). The BAOL seeks to further the development of Ogwehoweh cultural understanding within an Ogwehoweh language context. Taught in-person at Six Nations Polytechnic’s campus in Ohsweken, this fully accredited three-year undergraduate degree focuses on Mohawk or Cayuga language and is organized into four streams: language, grammar, lifelong learning, and community engagement.