Matt Somerville is Wolf Clan and grew up in Kenhte:ke (Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory). His journey took him to Kingston, Ontario and Washington, D.C., before returning home in 2023. Since 2025, he has served as the Director of Operations at Tsi Tyonnheht Onkwawen:na (TTO) Language and Cultural Centre. His focus is on serving his community and strengthening the Mohawk language, Kanyen'keha for the benefit of future generations. TTO is a not-for-profit organization providing a Mohawk immersion elementary school, a learning program for adults, a nursery program and more. Tyendinaga is part of the Mohawk Nation with communities in Ontario, Quebec and New York State.
The Language and Cultural Centre is a much needed resource for all members of the community, present and future. The centre will be located at 39 Salmon River Road within Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. The centre is coming to fruition after decades of dreams, planning and preparation, a transformative journey, creating a dynamic space that cultivates knowledge, celebrates culture and builds community for generations to come. The Centre will provide educational and cultural programs for community members, non-indigenous organizations and individuals who are interested in learning about the Mohawk language, cultural values and traditions to support reconciliation. Through funders, partners, allies and much collaboration, the Centre will be opened in January 2026. In 1920 the government took over schools and the Indian Act was amended. No longer was the Mohawk language taught in schools and it, along with traditions and culture was lost to generations of children and not passed on. In 1970, small groups of people started the road to reclamation and created language circles and started a five year plan to lay a foundation of living language and cultural learning for generations to come. Parents are learning as well as the children and there will be both primary students and adult learners at the new Centre. Artifacts will be displayed in the new building. As Matt said, education is always helpful. It took 100 years to get here and it will take that to achieve what they want to accomplish to lessen the impact of oppression of language and other cultural history.
Rotarian Jamie Trudeau thanked Matt for sharing, noting it is so important to us as neighbours to know the history and the goals that are being set. Moving ahead with culture for us all to learn, appreciate and support.