“Iakwahwatsiratátie Language Nest is a supportive language immersion program for parents and children that includes cultural teachings (cycle of ceremonies, planting, cooking, etc...), inter-generational transference of knowledge and language, healthy living, and an extended family concept. The program is primarily comprised of parents/caregivers and children ages zero to four years old but also includes expectant parents, grandparents, and older siblings.

Our primary Language Goals are to help children to speak their first words in Kanien’kéha in an effort to create first- language speakers. The program focuses on bringing language into the home and re-instilling Kanien’kehá:ka ancestral family values including bonding, attachment, and nurturing through language. The language nest extended family concept empowers parents to be the teachers and role models to their children so that they see speaking the language as normal.”