Akwesasne elder becomes first graduate of McGill’s Indigenous language revitalization PhD
Mary Onwá Tekahawáhkwen Macdonald, 73, from Akwesasne, is the inaugural graduate of McGill’s Indigenous languages PhD (launched 2023). A retired teacher of Kanyen’kéha with 45 years’ experience, she completed the degree in three years and plans to mentor students as an elder in residence.
Mary Onwá Tekahawáhkwen Macdonald of the Mohawk community of Akwesasne completed McGill’s Indigenous languages PhD in three years, becoming the program’s first graduate. After retiring at 70 following 45 years teaching Kanyen’kéha, she entered the doctoral program to strengthen language documentation and revitalization skills. Macdonald now supports other students and hopes to serve as an elder in residence. The program, established in 2023, is aimed at speakers living in Indigenous communities across the Americas whose languages are at risk.
Read the original story · Global News — Montréal — https://globalnews.ca/news/12149031/elder-first-graduate-mcgill-indigenous-languages-phd-program/