si Tyónnheht Onkwawén:na (TTO) has officially opened the Kenhtè:ke Language and Cultural Centre on Tyendinaga Mohawk
Territory.
“We were established 26 years ago by a group of community members concerned with the
critical state of Mohawk language and culture in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory,” said Callie
Hill, TTO’s CEO. “I know those individuals are smiling on us today, as we mark a major
milestone in the recovery and revitalization of our language and culture through this exciting
new space.”
The Kenhtè:ke Language and Cultural Centre is located at 39 Salmon River Road within
Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory on land provided by the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte.
Design development and construction administration were completed by Brook McIlroy’s
Indigenous Design Studio, Niacon Ltd was the general contractor, and the project was
managed by Dr. Daniel Brant of Daniel J. Brant & Associates, a Tyendinaga Mohawk
Territory-based project management firm.
The project was majority funded through a $9.6 million contribution, announced in June 2023, through the Government of Canada’s
Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program.
“We are proud to support the strengthening and growth of Mohawk language, culture, and
history through new community infrastructure,” said Chris Malette, Member of Parliament for
Bay of Quinte. “The Kenhtè:ke Language and Cultural Centre on Tyendinaga Mohawk
Territory will provide community members with a safe and accessible space to connect with
each other and learn more about the culture’s values and traditions for generations to come.
The Tyendinaga Mohawk Council, recognizing the importance of dedicated spaces,
including classrooms of all types for Mohawk language learning to take place, also provided
a $1 million contribution in 2021.
Additional contributions from the feasibility study to construction were made by the Ontario
government through the Indigenous Community Capital Grants Program. The Ontario
Trillium Foundation’s Grow Grant has provided three-year funding towards the restoration of
the damaged lands around the facility as well as Mohawk language restoration.
“The Kenhtè:ke Language and Cultural Centre is a wonderful example of a true partnership
between Mohawk peoples and both the federal and provincial government,” said Ric Bresee,
MPP, Hastings—Lennox and Addington. “I am thrilled to see this project move forward,
supporting the re-growth and rebuilding of the languages and culture that should never have
been lost or minimized. Language and cultural programming for all people, young and old,
will help move toward reconciliation”.
The Centre includes a teaching kitchen, an art studio, and a gathering space for up to 107 people for programs, events,
and celebrations. Programming for school-aged children will relocate to the facility beginning in
September 2026. In addition to the programming which will occur on-site at the Language
and Culture Centre, TTO will also launch a CRTC-licensed radio station in the coming
months.
TTO is an incorporated not-for-profit with charitable status, and donations towards the
outstanding fundraising for the Kenhtè:ke Language and Cultural Centre are gratefully
accepted via CanadaHelps or by contacting them directly.
