It Takes a Village

Disappearing Indigenous ways of knowing can lead to cultural erasure and a loss of self, a critical issue facing many communities.

There remains an ongoing need for Indigenous-focused initiatives that foster healing, strengthen cultural identity, and rebuild what has been damaged through loss of language, traditions, and spiritual connection. Finding opportunities to strengthen Indigenous identity is vital, and language revitalization is an important aspect of this.

For many former residential and day school survivors from Akwesasne’s Mohawk Nation in Ontario, recent settlement processes have caused historic pain to resurface, requiring an urgent need for support. The Akwesasne Kateri Prayer Circle are answering this call with the St. Kateri Tekakwitha Feast Pilgrimage and Mohawk Language Seminar. This two-part project will support a small group of Akwesasronon pilgrims attending Indigenous Days at the St. Kateri Tekakwitha National Shrine in Fonda, New York, to engage in Indigenous-led liturgies, share Mohawk hymns, and take part in healing and prayer services. A Kanien’kéha language seminar will be offered, bringing together speakers, learners, and survivors to share teachings and strengthen culture and language revitalization efforts. 

The Akwesasne Kateri Prayer Circle has more than 40 years of experience providing cultural and language-based programming. The Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF) is contributing funding to help support their newest initiative. Through diversified and Indigenous-led pilgrimage, prayer, language engagement, and intergenerational gathering, the IRF’s support will help strengthen individual connections to Kanien’kéha and help survivors celebrate their culture as they navigate their healing journeys.

Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall