New prof at U of T teaches Mohawk language in hopes of saving his ancestral language

[@bladesinthewind]

I hope one day that Native American languages will flourish again

[@kilipaki87oritahiti]

I applaud you Ryan for taking initiative to preserve and keep not only the culture, but the language alive!

[@BroWCarey]

I wish I could enroll in his class and learn Mohawk.

[@ramojo4ramojo436]

Me 2 !

[@pacio49]

I had the honor of studying two semesters of Modern Mohawk at SUNY Potsdam in 1993 and 1994. The teacher was Kaseiwaian ('the Winnower', Mrs. Diana Smith). She was from the St. Regis Falls reservation that straddles the New York State/Canadian border. She and the other elders had been involved in a language preservation project, and they had assembled a Mohawk-English dictionary as part of the preservation efforts. She taught Mohawk in the elementary schools as well, which I believe is why they gave her the opportunity to teach at the college level for the State University of New York those two semesters. In her efforts, they had discovered Latent Fluency was very common among the younger children. Kids who thought they only spoke English, who might not even remember their grandparents who had died or become ill before the child was really aware of their surroundings, would start taking the language lessons in the Elementary Schools and suddenly the children would just snap to fluency, their brains remembering subconsciously being around the spoken language when they were imprinting with language skills very young. Alcoa gave a grant to continue the work, and I believe that Kaseiwaian was offering the classes at college to mostly non-Native students (at first - her classes became very popular with the Native students very quickly). I think we were meant to provide a kind of control group for the Alcoa grant research into Latent Fluency. It was certainly the most difficult language I had ever tried to learn. I was trilingual at the time, but it was English, Spanish, and French, with a little Italian from my upbringing (now gone, sadly... except for how to swear in the same now-dying dialect as seen on the Sopranos, since my family also settled in the greater NYC metro region). Mohawk was so difficult that there are very few things that remain with me now. Kaseiwaian taught us how to count to ten, tried to teach us the different subjects and simple verbs, simple phrases, and the flexibility (like German) that Mohawk has for inventing new words by correctly mixing and matching certain root meanings. We learned far more about the outlook of The People. We needed to. It was impossible to begin to understand how to conceive of the world without first getting a bit of exposure to how The People understood the world. And that required first history, and then a more modern view of things. Kaseiwaian insisted on Opening and Closing each semester with a formal Invocation. I recall that the speaker (Kaseiwaian, of course) would make a number of declarations -- of gratitude, of mystery, of harmony, of hope, of intention... and we would respond with "Tho ni:iotonha'k ne: akon:hake" or a shorter, "Tho". The courses were so very difficult that I was one of two non-Native students who stayed for the whole duration. And the other student came to me for help in how to memorize what little we could (flashcards!). I graduated after the second semester, and I knew that I could never actually speak the language. But I have run into some of The People in my digital life since. I don't know if Kaseiwaian remembers me. I like to think so. I made a ceramic dish in my ceramics class and carved it with a wolf, because she was Wolf Clan, and presented it to her on the last day, with her name carved into it on the top and "Iako:kwaho" underneath for 'She is of the Wolf Clan'. It didn't exactly survive the firing in the kiln all the way, but like any mother is, she took it and didn't make fun of the bubble in it. Well... okay, maybe she teased me mercilessly, but she still took the plate and looked very sad to hear I was graduating. She honored me by giving me a name in Mohawk. (I do NOT presume that this is any kind of tribal recognition... it was her pet name for me, and I laugh at it still to this day.) Rotewe. "He is Happy". I laughed, because I'm pretty sure she could tell, not only was I happy in her class, I'm also gay. ;) I never asked her, but I always wondered if the name had the same double-entendre. I truly hope Kaseiwaian is still alive and well, and making jokes. She loved to put a very "sexy" inflection on "Ranekantelon" (An attractrive man) and if you said the same phrase for a woman when she was nearby, "Ie:ia'tese" she would stop what she was doing and immediately answer, "Yes?" I miss her smiles and I am eternally grateful for her lessons, and the opportunity of a lifetime. I'm so glad I took those classes. Of the few things I do recall, one word changed my outlook on life, helped me through my angsty-20s, helped get me through good times and bleak ones that came later. It was the way we announced we were "present!" or "here!" for class roll call -- "Kentho ike's" (/GAHN-toh ee-GET'-s/). It meant, "Here is where I am." A call to mindfulness. To not just be present, but to be, present. It translates beautifully into Spanish in the phrase "Aqui es donde soy", with the intentional flip of the usual verb meaning location (estoy, estar) to the verb meaning 'state of existence', soy/ser. Thank you, Kaseiwaian. And thank you to The People, for sharing access with one of your living treasures with us.

[@reptar5124]

I'm from Massena and my mother's side is from Hogansburg the Awkwasane Rez and I work at Alcoa lol. I know many people that still speak the native tongue.

[@TheEccentricLad]

Real life Ratonhnhaké:ton.

[@RickHenderson]

Incredibly impressive. I just watched the video of him before he started the Mohawk language class and the post-interview 2 years later... which was quite a while ago now! Amazing.

[@No-jb6fy]

Inspiring. I don't understand why Canadians aren't being taught an introduction to the First Nations' languages. I do not know a single word of these languages, a shame really. Recently MP Marc Miller delivered a speech in Mohawk at the Commons, a first since Confederation. He had to submit a translation himself. I can't even find nowhere the original Mohawk language short speech he delivered. I wish I could (try to) read the words he used and see the language for myself. Also in Qc in the north there are stop signs with a native language on them (not Mohawk, the writing looks like pictograms with bars and small circles): I'm just clueless about it too. It's wrong to be that clueless imho. Please inform yourselves about these languages and traditions in Canada. Thank you.

[@RickHenderson]

The challenge comes from the wide variety of Indigenous languages and the geographic specificity I would guess.

[@RoyalKnightVIII]

The reason is very simple, genocide. The white Canadian gov wanted to totally exterminate first Nations

[@brophwyd]

They're very, very, very hard languages for first language English and French speakers. Consider Japanese, a category 4 language. Kanien'keha is an order of magnitude harder.

[@No-jb6fy]

@@brophwyd I hear you, but we're not talking about being fluent here, we're talking about knowing about it and knowing a few words. How come I know more words in Japanese or Chinese than in any of those languages?? I should know at least 10-20 words, I should know what type of languages they are, I should know some comparisons between these and the languages I speak, I should know since when they were spoken, I should know how many there are, which one is the most common in Canada, how many people speak them, and where it is spoken. The fact I don't know this is telling. And frankly, it's offensive. I have seen absolutely no progress in my knowledge of the First Nations or with people surrounding me, I have seen very little if nothing trickling down from reconciliation. It's as if these people still don't exist and the same stereotypes are commonly heard all over. And Quebec isn't helping at all.

[@brophwyd]

@@No-jb6fy the words "Canada, Toronto, Ontario" and a few others are Mohawk words.

[@eloievaldovinos2887]

Nahuatl is the most spoken indigenous langauge with roughly 2 million speakers from Mexico down through Brazil and as far north as Oregon ❤ may your langauge thrive too

[@mateusg0]

Wait what? I got really interested in this language! I'm originally from Brazil and I'm currently living in Canada. To know that there's an indigenous language spoken in the two countries I love is mindblowing! Do you know how I can know more about it? Do you speak it yourself?

[@Tabuleiro.]

@@mateusg0 I believe she is talking about Mexican immigrants. Nahuatl is from Mesoamerica.

[@dakotarohrer5520]

Man I watched your first videos about you learning the language YEARS ago... it's so amazing to see the transformation you've made and that you are now giving that gift back to the people ❤ much love and respect. I long to learn the language as you once did...i have taken it upon myself to try and write down the syllables and different sounds and start from there... Unfortunately I don't have anyone who I can go to with my progress to see if I am getting better or worse 😂 I am on the West coast for the summer helping the people fight forest fires. But when I return in the fall I would love to learn more. I would love to take classes and learn the language so that I can speak it fluently as you do. Much love again brother. Take care.

[@esorealismmegin1923]

There is an app for android and other phones for Mohawk; also one of the best sites to get a start on almost any language is Omniglot.com for languages and writing systems. I'm currently learning mainly 5 languages right now and these are great sources to learn. Remember, though. Listening to the language in it's currently used for helps so much: actual conversation, music, radio, pod casts and whatnot:)

[@mrsnulch]

This guy was my professor, awesome memories of that class.

[@esorealismmegin1923]

Niáwen ki' wáhi, Ryan DeCaire!!!

[@prasetya1729]

Is that you connor kenway?

[@piroskaracz3621]

Sad loss... languages also for indigenous peoples OUTSIDE North America are in decline as well....is up to us to try being them back. Great job he did!

[@cadlentosky-nottaway543]

It sounds nice. Keep it up. ♥️

[@africaRBG]

It's a righteous endeavour. Once you lose the language, the culture is next. And then your customs and knowledge become just distant memories.

[@kennethsummerssr5122]

They is a Small Band of Mohawks I Met in 1993 The Brighton Mohawks Located in Brighton Ontario.

[@GretchenHewitt]

Bravo!

[@sunnieonesotrue5868]

I am a Mohawk in NM , will you make lesson recordings here? You are a handsome one, nephew.

[@godwannabe8976]

Sounds really cool.

[@ramojo4ramojo436]

People have to keep the language alive!

[@nataliehelferty1438]

As Pale Indian growing up in Toronto on my Native Land as Mohawk I only learned English. I am Queen of Canada and Royal Chieftain of Indians of America from the Virgin Mary and the Rouge and Humber Indian Chiefs as the Holy Grail of Christ's Second Coming. I was created in Heaven and brought down to Earth as a Baby with the King and the Knights as Babies. I am Standing Deer With Fist as a Baby. The Mohawk God Created but the Devil from Louisiana made a difficult Mohawk Language that is not understood by English Speakers. This is the Mohawk Language that is dying out. The Devil was being difficult with the languages as the Elders were not real people but Spirit Made. The God Mohawk Language is easy to speak and understand and I did speak it as a baby and understood it. King's English is our Native Language as Mohawk. The Wahta Mohawk were being fooled by the Devil and Spirit-Made Elders. The Spirit around each God Created Mohawk knows the real Language. Just ask to speak the God Mohawk. Natalie Helferty who is Mohawk Chief Natalie Holywood.

[@levequedidier3676]

Quite obvious. Thanks for the explanation.

[@stevepatrickjarvis]

I am sad to admit that I don't know the language even though I am part Mohawk. Mother was part Iroquois. Some of my other family members were of other native blood as well. And what if I told you my ancestors were German?

[@MrEthanhines]

Explain this: why is it that Ontario offers a course in Kanyen'kéha but Quebec with the highest number of indigenous people does not it's absolutely shameful 😢

[@jaymalik2407]

Reminds me of Connor Kenway.

[@latesmyplace]

Omg 🤤 everything about this

[@DNH17]

Amazing. I think videogames can really help. "Never Alone" from Sony does a similar thing, what I call "Beyond videogaming".

[@FreedomRider223]

how do you say "see you soon" in Mohawk?

[@TheCoiledAnklet]

We usually say O:nen ( pronounced Oh-nuh) kind of like saying "bye now" 👋

[@christophm860]

I want to learn our language! Sites he have contact info

[@murraygreen5756]

It is sad to let a language go by the way side, thanks to history and the white man

[@PaulLovesVarvara]

The guy is clearly overwhelmingly European and has at most a small percentage of Iroquian ethnic heritage. However, he wants to associate with his Iroquoian heritage, which is his prerogative. Heck, if he wants to call himself East Asian, Australian Aborigine or Black, that is also his prerogative. And, if other Mohawk accept him as such, so be it.

[@yuminsama1301]

he may look like the most scandinavian person you'd ever met, but he is still mohawk and, therefore, indigenous.

[@nataliehelferty1438]

The Devil worked for God and made 13 difficult Native Languages and Spirit-Made Elders who spoke these Languages . It was to keep the British Spirit-Made people out of Indian Reserves as they could not understand or speak with the Elders to make treaties with them to take their Land in Canada. This was in 1890. There is no point in trying to keep the Languages alive as they are not understood by Mohawk who are all Canadians from Lake Ontario who speak King's English. There is an understandable Mohawk language for English speakers as Canadians. King's English is fine as a language as it is understood and spoken by all Canadians who are Mohawk from Hamilton to Montreal. All Six Nations speak English as that is God's Language and we all understand it automatically as babies. The King James Bible tells of the Royal Indians of America as Toronto Tribe Mohawk as Royalty of Canada as Royal Indians of America as Hollywood Royals. It is God created in King's English. It is found in Presbyterian Churches.

[@TARKHPERUNOVICH]

Wtf? Not even a bit of this is true. English is God's language? The God of Christianity is Hebrew. English like any other natural language must be learned by infants and is NOT understood from birth.

[@DERTHIX]

My dad keeps saying we’re Native American but absolutely won’t take a DNA test! I just don’t want him to offend someone 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@mixtecjaguar9824]

WOW. White people speaking a native language

[@maxkerrigan5051]

I mean he's obviously part native and has a strong native accent so he this makes him mohawk.

[@PaulLovesVarvara]

@@maxkerrigan5051 He speaks English natively and exactly like all other people from Central Ontario. What do you mean by strong native accent? And, how do you know he is obviously part native? What about how he speaks or how he looks makes him obviously part native?

[@maxkerrigan5051]

@@PaulLovesVarvara Because it is stated in the video.

[@ssllp6021]

@@maxkerrigan5051 You stated that: "he's obviously part native and has a strong native accent so he this makes him mohawk." I asked: "What about how he speaks (typical central Ontario aceent) or how he looks (light hair and blue eyes) makes him obviously part native?" You now respond: "Because it is stated in the video." I kow that in the video he states that he is part Mohawk. But, again, what about how he speaks or how he looks makes him obviously part native?

[@niamtxiv]

Lol 😂