Mohawk Language Videos Now Available on SUNY Canton’s Website

By Abby Seaman, Public Relations Intern

A SUNY Canton Presidential Internship project is helping the campus community better understand and appreciate Mohawk language and culture through a series of six videos focused on Mohawk names, their meanings and proper pronunciation.

The video series was developed by 2026 SUNY Canton graduate Tsiawentonnih Elizabeth George, formerly of Massena. The project began in the fall of 2023 when George noticed faculty members struggled to pronounce her name. She wanted to help others understand the significance of Mohawk names and learn how to say them correctly. After receiving enthusiastic support, the project continued in spring 2024 with Karenniiostha Sunny Thompson-Garrow of Hogansburg, who is currently enrolled in the college’s Exercise Science program.

Working with community experts and Mohawk educators Diane and Grace Mitchell of Akwesasne, Sociology Lecturer Daniel McLane, the two students developed and recorded the video series. They received editing help from Sonia Delgado, a Graphic and Multimedia Design major from La Fargeville.

“Supporting the Mohawk language by helping our Native students and elders share its cultural significance helps ensure that an important part of our campus community’s heritage and culture is recognized, understood and respected,” McLane said.

The series introduces the Mohawk alphabet and its pronunciation and explores the origins and significance of the names. Through the videos, they hope to preserve a language that is at risk of being lost, encourage greater cultural understanding and create a more inclusive and welcoming campus environment.

“Native American Names are typically drawn from nature, which is not only descriptive but provides the child with a strong sense of being,” Grace Mitchell said. “It also gives us an insight into the personality of the one who possesses it.”

The names also carry a responsibility for others to recognize their meaning.

“The child is born with that name,” said Diane Mitchell. “A person's name should not be shortened simply to make it easier to pronounce. People are encouraged to learn and use the full name as it was given.”

The project highlighted the importance of recognizing and respecting Mohawk culture within the SUNY Canton community.

The students received funding for the project through a SUNY Canton Presidential Internship and SUNY funding designed to give students professional experience before