Cherokee and Mohawk Language Programs Strengthen Ties in Akwesasne

By Cherokee 411 Staff

September 10, 2025

AKWESASNE, N.Y. — Teachers from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) visited the Kanien’keha Language Program in Akwesasne on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, to strengthen intertribal ties and share strategies for language revitalization.

The Eastern Band, based in North Carolina, is made up of about 18,000 citizens, with only 8,000 to 9,000 living on their tribal lands. An EBCI administrator noted that just 2% of tribal members are fluent Cherokee speakers, most over the age of 70, underscoring the urgency of reclaiming the language for future generations.

“The race against time is on,” the administrator said. “We want to light the fire of strength and resilience in our youth to take back the language that was taken from us.”

Among recent initiatives, the EBCI secured an agreement with the state of North Carolina allowing fluent Cherokee speakers to teach in classrooms without specialized teaching credentials. The change has opened doors for elders and first language speakers to directly support students in their language journey.

The Eastern Band and its sister tribe, the Cherokee Nation, have built a strong partnership around revitalization and cultural preservation. Their visit to Akwesasne was part of those efforts, aimed at building intertribal connections and learning from the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s successes in advancing the Mohawk language through the root word method of teaching.

Eric Thompson, program manager for the Kanien’keha Language Program, said continued collaboration and investment are vital.

“Our successes show what is possible when a community comes together,” Thompson said. “Sustained support is critical to carrying this work forward for the next generation.”