[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/tworowwampum.jpg” caption=”Provost Ilene Busch-Vishniac with a Two Row Wampum belt, given to McMaster University by Rebecca Jamieson, co-chair of the President’s Committee on Indigenous Issues. Photo by Garnette Crawford.”]Representatives from both McMaster University and Six Nations were on hand at a recent ceremony held to announce the official launch of the Ogweho:weh Language Diploma program at the Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP).

A number of supporters, as well as Six Nations Elders and professors of indigenous knowledge Hubert Skye, Lottie Keye, Evelyn Bomberry, Frances Froman and Ima Johnson, joined officials in celebrating the program. Offered though McMaster's Centre for Continuing Education and taught by instructors at SNP, the program already has more than 60 students.

At the ceremony, Rebecca Jamieson, co-chair of the President's Committee on Indigenous Issues, presented the University with a framed Two Row Wampum belt, which was accepted by Provost Ilene Busch-Vishniac. The belt symbolizes mutual respect between Native and non-Native culture based on non-interference of each other's affairs unless called upon by the other for help.

Speaking at the event, University President Peter George said that the partnership ushered in a new relationship between McMaster and Six Nations and that the University was committed to providing a positive and welcoming environment for Six Nations students.

The current program will be in the Mohawk and Cayuga languages, with part-time classes commencing this fall to encourage those who work or who have other full-time commitments to learn their language. Eventually, the diploma program will become a full university BA degree.

Out of this program will evolve an Indigenous Knowledge Centre for the purpose of conserving and promoting Ogweho:weh language and culture. The Centre, inspired by indigenous Hawaiian and Maori models, will be a place for Six Nations people and students to learn from Elders and other traditional knowledge holders. The primary goal of the Centre will be to record everyday conversations, songs, stories and other knowledge of the Elders.