Tsi Nen:we Enkonnoronhkhwake Project

The Kanatakon School has another teaching implement to work with. A book by Robert Munsch titled "Love You Forever" has been translated into Mohawk. Mr. Munsch was contacted and gladly gave permission for the use of his book, and "Tsi Nen:we Enkonnoronhkhwake" was created.

There are many people involved in the project that includes a CD, lesson plans and a DVD. The artist is John B. Thomas and the project was approved and encouraged by the original author himself Robert Munsch. The audio that accompanies the book is by several people. Kaweienon:ni Margaret Peters does the Mohawk narration and her daughter sings the Baby Song. The English translation is done by Tom Porter and his son also sings as part of the narration.

Also, the book will eventually be translated into all the languages of the Six Nations with Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora already in the works. Kaweienon:ni Margaret Peters said, "The other languages we have so far are Cayuga and the narration is done by an elder of Six Nations Lottie Key and Andrew Thomas of the Oneida Territory sings. The Seneca version is narrated by elder Clayton Logan of the Cattaraugus Territory and the two singers for the video are Barbara and Jordan Cooke also of the Cattaraugus Territory. The Tuscarora version was narrated by Betsy Bissell of the Tonawanda Territory and we are working to get all the versions into book form of those languages also."

The DVD is in the works, which is currently being filmed in Akwesasne.

The DVD version also involves many people who agreed to be filmed as the characters in the book. Kaweienon:ni's daughter Teioswathe and her son Rarennenhá:wi are in the book as one age of the mother and son, Randi Rourke Barreiro and son Karahkwatí:ron are also in the video, Katsi Cook and her son Tsiorasa Barreiro are another age group of the mother and son and John B. Thomas has a cameo appearance in the film. Scott Peters and his two sons are also part of the video.

Kaweienon:ni said, "It's been difficult to find people who can make the time to be involved in the entire project and their willingness to be part of the entire project is thoroughly appreciated."

The kit is not grade specific. "Anyone learning the languages can use it," Kaweienon:ni said. Students in Kaweienon:ni's class will be starting the unit soon and are already learning the baby song and have made cornhusk dolls as part of a current lesson, so they are transitioning into this lesson nicely.

The Mohawk version of the Book and CD are available at the Kaná:takon School and the AMBE Board office for $20.00 per set.