Mohawk Nation of the Grand River Country

Important Announcement: Temporary Suspension of the Mohawk Language Initiative

Dear Members and Supporters of the Mohawk Language Initiative,

I hope this letter finds you well, and I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support and dedication to the preservation of the Mohawk language. Today, we find ourselves facing a challenging situation, and I am writing to request your continued support to overcome this obstacle.

Preserving a language is not only saving a form of communication, it is saving a way of life, a culture and a perspective of the world that no other language has. Support with Paypal or Become a Patron
Regrettably, we must inform you that our Mohawk Language Initiative has been compelled to temporarily suspend its services due to a security breach on our website and an ongoing server attack. This decision was made to ensure the security of our users' data and the future of our initiative.

While we prepare to deliver the updated project, the Mohawk University is creating a cultural and language code of ethics that we hope will be used to guide future use of this website and endangered language resource.

Since 2015, Benjamin Doolittle UE has worked to build up this resource as an open source language initiative, and over the years the content has been cited in scolastic papers, thesis', band council initiatives, course curriculums, schools, etc. This site has become a major source as an authority for the many who enjoy it. Yet, maintaining and growing the website has become a major task, and I need help, we need help. I see from the short time this site has been suspended, that Google has already removed the hundreds of thousands of search results that used to pepper the search results. This is a major loss to the INDIGI-DIGITAL and cyber-space community.

Despite this adversity, I am pleased to share that we have partnered with Mohawk University, which has stepped forward to lead this initiative by providing a secure server and a comprehensive plan of action to fortify our website and protect our knowledge base.

The cleanup process is underway, and we are dedicated to ensuring the safety and integrity of our platform. Your unwavering support, particularly from our patrons on Patreon and those who have generously donated to aid in this endeavor, has been pivotal in the ongoing efforts to investigate and secure our website. We thank you from the depths of our hearts for your commitment and generosity. However, our message today goes beyond gratitude.

It is a call to action, a reminder that the preservation of the Mohawk language is a collective responsibility that transcends individual or institutional interests. It is a testament to our community's resilience in the face of historical injustices and our dedication to the broader goals of cultural preservation and linguistic diversity. The significance of preserving the Mohawk language extends far beyond our immediate community. It is a cultural treasure that enriches the world's tapestry of languages and perspectives, connecting generations and bridging the wisdom of our ancestors with the aspirations of our youth.

This is why we are actively inviting institutions to join us in this mission. The preservation of a language is not the task of a solitary entity; it is a collective endeavor. It is about safeguarding a way of life, a culture, and a unique perspective on the world. By contributing to our cause, whether as an individual or as an institution, you become an integral part of a broader movement that recognizes the value of linguistic diversity and the preservation of indigenous languages.

Together, we can amplify our impact and ensure the sustainability of our language initiatives for generations to come. We acknowledge that the temporary suspension of our services may pose inconveniences, but please understand that the security of our users and the preservation of the Mohawk language remain our top priorities.

We sincerely appreciate your patience and support as we diligently work to resolve this issue and get our initiative back up and running. Preserving the Mohawk language is not merely about communication; it is about saving a way of life, culture, and a unique perspective on the world. With your collective support and the involvement of Mohawk University, we can overcome this challenge and continue our vital work.

If you wish to contribute or stay updated on our progress, please do not hesitate to reach out. You may also consider becoming a patron or encouraging your institution to support our mission. Your understanding and continued support mean the world to us, and they fuel our determination to preserve the Mohawk language for generations to come. Thank you for standing with us in this crucial moment.

Sincerely,

Your Mohawk Language Initiative Team
kanienkeha@mohawkuniversity.org