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

Kahnawà:ke Schools Diabetes Prevention Project (KSDPP) - https://www.ksdpp.org/

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 Research Policy & Code of Ethics.

Skátne Enionkwaió’ten - https://skatneenionkwaioten.org/

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.

KEC-NEȾOLṈEW̱ Project - https://netolnew.ca/

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

Katsistohkwí:io Jacco, University of Victoria - Master of Arts in Political Science

“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.

Jade Lafontaine, McGill University - Master of Arts, Department of Integrated Studies in Education

“Indigenous languages in the digital age: A study of multimodal tools for Indigenous language instruction”. Graduate degree completed in 2022.

Daniella Birlain D’Amico, McGill University - PhD in Educational Studies (DISE)

“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.

Kahtehrón:ni Iris Stacey, McGill University - PhD in Educational Studies (DISE)

Oversight only. Doctoral research under way. Working title/topic: Investigating Indigenous Language Pedagogies with Advanced Learners in Kahnawà:ke.

Wahéhshon Shiann Whitebean, McGill University - PhD in Educational Studies (DISE)

Oversight only. Doctoral research under way. Working title/topic: Retracing our Roots through Story Medicine: Re-Storying Kahnawà:ke Indian Day Schools.