This story is also in Kanien'kéha

Kanien'kéha teachers and administrators met in July

The Kanien'kéha Adult Immersion Gathering was in Kingston, Ontario, from July 13-16. It was the second year of the event.

Otsitsia Sunday translated Kanien'kéha into English for administrators. She said it was hard but worth it.

Sunday said the gathering was amazing to see and experience. The community is working hard to keep the language alive.

Sunday had three grandparents who spoke Kanien'kéha. She said hearing the language at the gathering was inspiring.

Sunday said that when people work together, they can do great things.

Karihwaiénhne' Sarah Chaloux will start a new adult immersion program in Wahta in September 2027.

Chaloux said the gathering was a great chance to focus on Kanien'kéha, but it was hard for administrators who don't speak the language.

Chaloux doesn't speak Kanien'kéha, so having an interpreter was helpful.

Chaloux said gatherings like this help people work together and share knowledge.

Chaloux has been to other conferences and said people often work alone, which isn't helpful.

Chaloux said the gathering was special because it brought people together as a nation.

Konwanonhsiióhstha' Callie Hill said the gathering helps make the language more important and respected.

Hill said it's great that they need to translate from Kanien'kéha to English now. It shows how far they've come.

Hill said the Kanien'kehá:ka communities are leaders in keeping their language alive.

Kanatawakhon (David) Maracle created a new way of teaching languages that is used around the world.

Oheróhskon Ryan DeCaire said adult immersion programs were started because other ways of learning weren't working.

In the past, some communities tried immersion programs, but they didn't last. DeCaire studied these programs.

DeCaire's research showed that these programs helped create groups of people who could speak the language together.

The Onkwawén:na Kentyóhkwa program in Ohswé:ken is the oldest adult immersion program in the area.

Rohahí:yo Brant started as a student and is now an instructor at Onkwawén:na Kentyóhkwa. He's been there for 11 years.

Brant has shared knowledge with all six of the Haudenosaunee nations.

Brant said their curriculum has been improved over 25 years and is still getting better.

Brant said new programs can start with the knowledge they have now, which is very helpful.

Brant recently worked with the Listuguj Mi’gmaq First Nation in Quebec. They just graduated their first group of students from a two-year immersion program.