Volunteers create baby board books written in the Kanien'kéha language

Residents of Kahnawake, Québec have published three children’s books in Kanien’kéha to help babies and toddlers learn the Mohawk language. A team of volunteer illustrators, graphic designers, and translators put together Otsísto Otsísto (written to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star), Takwa'ahson (the Itsy Bitsy Spider), and Akeráhkhwa (You are My Sunshine). 3,000 copies of the books will be distributed for free to families in the community. "Every child and every family should have access to this learning tool," said project coordinator Jody Jacobs. "The more things that we have to include parents, grandparents, families all together to support our young children to keep our language going is the main goal." The remaining books will be available to purchase at Kahnawake’s library, with the proceeds benefiting an immersion program for caregivers called the Iakwahwatsiratátie Language Nest. CBC (QC)