Research, Collaborations & Projects
The Kahnawà:ke Education Center collaborates on research and school-based projects with a number of parties, both internal and external to Kahnawà:ke. These collaborations range from long-term partnerships over many decades, to graduate student projects, and smaller scale school-based initiatives. The KEC is proud of these accomplishments, and we wish to highlight some of the model partnerships and projects that we have engaged in over the years.
Model Partnerships & Projects
Since 1994, KSDPP and the KEC established a long-standing research partnership that has generated learning opportunities, activities, and knowledge for the promotion of healthy lifestyles for the children and families of Kahnawà:ke. More recently, KSDPP supported the development of the KEC’s Research Policy & Code of Ethics.
Funded through a Heritage Canada Language Initiatives grant, the KEC helped launch a community movement to create a five-year strategic plan for language revitalization in Kahnawà:ke (2018-2022). The KEC, partner organizations, and community stakeholders will be revisiting the plan to set new goals in 2023.
NEȾOLṈEW̱ is SSHRC funded research project based at the University of Victoria that includes nine Indigenous partner communities. The objective is to address the missing generation of speakers in our communities, the adult second-language learner population. The KEC- NEȾOLṈEW̱ project focuses on immersion teachers at Karonhianónhnha Tsi Ionterihwaienstákhwa, to explore tools and approaches that support language-learning goals for staff. Through this project, KEC piloted a new Onkwehonwehnéha teacher coach/mentor role at the school.
Graduate Research Projects
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Katsistohkwí:io Jacco - Master of Arts in Political Science University of Victoria
“Onkwehón:we women’s roles in regenerating and reclaiming their ancestral food systems: a pathway to healing”. Graduate degree completed in 2021. Katsistohkwí:io helped to create the Hao’ Tewakhón:ni program at Karonhianónhnha Tsi Ionterihwaienstákhwa.
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Jade Lafontaine - Master of Arts, Department of Integrated Studies in Education McGill University
"Indigenous languages in the digital age: A study of multimodal tools for Indigenous language instruction”. Graduate degree completed in 2022.
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Daniella Birlain D’Amico - PhD in Educational Studies (DISE) McGill University
"Stringing moments into a process of decolonial solidarity: Working through settler complicities in moments of collaboration with Kahnawa’kehró:non and interactions with one settler”. Graduate Degree completed in January 2023. Daniella helped to co-write an launch the first draft of the KEC Research Policy and Code of Ethics.
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Kahtehrón:ni Iris Stacey - PhD in Educational Studies (DISE) McGill University
Oversight only. Doctoral research under way. Working title/topic: Investigating Indigenous Language Pedagogies with Advanced Learners in Kahnawà:ke.
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Wahéhshon Shiann Whitebean - PhD in Educational Studies (DISE) McGill University
Oversight only. Doctoral research under way. Working title/topic: Retracing our Roots through Story Medicine: Re-Storying Kahnawà:ke Indian Day Schools.