Kanieńkehá:ka Land Back Language Camp

By Mahlon Smoke

In the last days of August, a young mother of five and along with her husband, packed their belongings and moved to Tsikaristisere a.k.a Dundee, QC.

"The women of Akwesasne are finally doing what we spoke of doing, taking back our land and our language. As women, not only the land, but the water is our responsibility. Keeping the language alive for the future generations is also a major responsibility, it's a weight that all of our people must carry, said Jackie Kaiatihtakhe Hall-Thompson.

"It's a beautiful thing when our language is based on a description of what we see, hear and feel. So, to be on undisturbed land, living among creation in its natural state is one of most natural ways to learn our language".

Since the appeal of the Dundee Land Claims, Jackie Thompson-Hall has taken her family to reclaim the land and start a camp dedicated to teaching her own children and interested community members the Kanieńkehá:ka language through more land based methods. The classes are student led, meaning that lessons are determined by what the students are interested in learning about. So, if the children want to go for a walk and pick flowers, then the lessons will be about the different plants and flowers the students find along their way.

The land is located next to the Salmon River, a calm river perfect for canoeing and kayaking. Hall-Thompson said, "We are surrounded by wildlife, plant life, and water, it is a peaceful place and we intend on keeping it that way."

According to Hall-Thompson, the plans for the camp go back about two years with Hall and a few others already planning to do a land-based language camp on Dundee camp. The plans were set in motion when the pandemic hit and sending kids back to school became an issue, especially the Akwesasne Freedom School, the main source of language-based learning in Akwesasne.

Hall-Thompson said, "We have chosen lands that are close to a wildlife life sanctuary, which happens to be in the Dundee land claim area. The land that Canada has acknowledged as belonging to Akwesasronon, but only at a cost; the cost being the surrender of our unceded territory. It has been close to year since Mohawk Council of Akwesasne approved a highly controversial land claim referendum, which countless Akwesasronon appealed and multiple clan mothers publicly opposed. The opposition was not to getting money, it was because of the invalid surrender approved by Canada's INAC system, giving Canada title to our territory."

She added, "Our plan was to get on top of the language, by making a place for their outside learning" said Hall in reference to how the camp planned to adjust to the rules of the pandemic.

She acknowledged that because of the pandemic, online is the best school setting but has spoken to several teachers who are interested in teaching on the land, due to its secluded area and perfect place for outdoor lessons, rich in environment settings. Some of plans for the camp include a space for the teachers and possibly a place for online teaching.

In the future, they plans are to have a 'structure up for ten people that are six feet apart and have it more family oriented' her possible plans for the campground.

However, the camp has been met with subtle opposition by the RCMP and members of seasonal cottagers who have been using their cottages during the pandemic. The issue being that Hall is on "private land" without permission. The RCMP have been to the camp early into the settlement to tell Hall people need to 'report' and or call into the CBSA station when coming onto the land. The RCMP regularly patrol the area with RCMP helicopters and boats, but none of that bothers Hall-Thompson much. Her main focus is teaching the children the language and keeping them safe.

There are many Canadian cottagers who live in the area and some have very neutral feelings towards the campground. While the cottager states she doesn't speak for all those living at the cottages, she does extend her own interest in learning more.

One anonymous cottager said, "I don't really know much about the camp. Really the only thing I don't agree with is that they're on private land. But they've been quiet, very nice, and I would like to learn more if I could."

Hall is interested in starting a newsletter for community members and anyone interested in learning, but her focus is continuing the camp, plans to continue what they are doing and to teach and educate anyone willing to learn about more traditional methods of teaching.

Hall-Thompson said, "After 3 weeks, we are finally getting into the swing of things. The camp is coming together beautifully. Pretty soon we will be having our first social on site, we can't wait to officially invite everyone."

There is also an online auction being organized by Akwesasronon, benefitting Kanieńkehá:ka Land Back Language Camp and the link can be found on their Facebook page.

Lastly she said, "Niawen:kowa for all of the continued support."