(UPDATED) — A few seats over from Akwesasne TV’s (ATV) Executive Producer, Regan Jacobs, sat representatives from Canada’s delegation at the United Nations’ launch of the 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages (IYIL). In fact, dozens of countries, high level officials, indigenous people and media from around the globe were in attendance. Jacobs was at the United Nations Educational and Scientific Cultural Organization(UNESCO) in Paris, France, on January 28th, representing ATV’s partnership in this U.N. initiative, and reinforcing the station’s mandate of Indigenous storytelling. “I was listening to Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, who is the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and she was speaking at the launch about how language rights leads to self-determination, and how community based media can connect people, through sophisticated technology. We can also unite and mobilize our young people.” “I thought to myself, Akwesasne TV is doing this, making an impact and is far reaching by creating content that is relatable and entrenched in the Mohawk language, culture and traditions. It was a proud moment.”
Jacobs says in December of 2018, she received an email from the Native American Journalism Association, seeking Indigenous journalists from around the globe to join an indigenous language caucus for the U.N.’s IYIL in 2019. “I read over the call out and felt that Akwesasne TV, as a whole, could have more of a profound impact rather than just me joining a caucus. I began to research how we could partner in this initiative, and found through the U.N.’s website that there was an application sign up process. The entire initiative fit perfectly into what ATV is looking to achieve. That’s how we came to be involved.”
Jacobs then seen there was an International official event launch being held in Paris, France, for the kick-off for IYIL and felt it was a great opportunity to network, make connections and get Akwesasne TV some exposure on an international level. She says she is always looking at approaches that will help raise the profile of the company and will also link in revenue generation possibilities. “It was an amazing opportunity for ATV to go to the United Nations launch. The contacts we made for future collaborations are quite meaningful. I can’t really put into words the full experience except to say that it was both overwhelming, yet priceless, all at once.” Jacobs says she was in Paris for a little less than three days and the trip cost $1117. “It was worth every dollar, I mean you can’t exactly put a price on language preservation. I feel its our responsibility to do our part. The station continues to grow and move in the right direction.” ATV has plans for a year-long stream of programming that will partner on the 2019 IYIL.
Akwesasne TV is owned by the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and began its operations in January of 2016. Since then, ATV has created dozens of programs and media content that helps foster language use and storytelling in Akwesasne and beyond, while maintaining a connection to the community’s unique culture.
Meantime, in the same week, a delegation from the Mohawk Nation at Kahnawake was preparing to attend the North American launch of IYIL in New York City at this year’s General Assembly on February 1st. Kanentokon Hemlock was designated through the Haudenosaunee Grand Council of Chiefs, to give the opening address for the high level gathering, in his capacity as Chairperson of the Haudenosaunee External Relations Committee. Iris Kahtehrón:ni Stacey translated Hemlock’s address into English for the United Nations.
Hemlock says it was an honor to be able to open the IYIL in the Mohawk language. “We wanted to ensure that the message our people have been bringing to the world was reiterated in the opening. We have a lot of work ahead of us still and its going to take a collective effort to strengthen things for the ones still coming “.
Hemlock said he felt fortunate that he had his grandparents to help him prepare for the opening, along with colleague and friend Kahtehrón:ni Stacey, and his cousin Akwiratekha Martin. He said he was asked in mid-January to conduct the opening after Tadodaho “Sid” Hill from Onondaga had to decline because of Mid-Winter ceremony obligations.
The Kanien’kehá:ka Nation at Kahnawà:ke stated in a press release issued this week that it “views its participation in the International Year of Indigenous Languages as an exercise of Haudenosaunee sovereignty and an opportunity to learn and share best practices in language revitalization with other sovereign Indigenous Nations from around the world.” A total of nine delegates were sent to the United Nations in NYC.
Kenneth Deer, Secretary for the Mohawk Nation at Kahnawake, was also among the delegation and says “the year is important because it raises the profile of our languages on the international stage. It puts pressure on States to do more to revive and maintain Indigenous Languages. It pressures our own people to value our languages and do more ourselves to speak and preserve our languages. We shouldn’t depend on the UN for our languages but use the UN t0 advance our efforts for language survival.”
In a resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly in December of 2016, the year 2019 was proclaimed as the International Year of Indigenous Languages, — which was created to raise awareness of the world’s Indigenous languages. It is meant to not only to benefit those who speak them, but also for others to appreciate the important contribution they make to the world’s rich cultural diversity.
Both events were streamed live to the internet and can be viewed on the UNESCO and United Nations webpage.
ATV Staff
