Shekon, Kaniehtaientatie Elizabeth McDonald Nelson Iontiats tanon Akwesasne tewakatehiaron. I’m originally from Akwesasne but moved to Kanehsatake after marrying my husband Curtis Nelson. We raised 2 kids together in Kanehsatake. I’ve been a language teacher for a total of 14 years now, teaching all ages from elementary, to high school, then to adults. I am  currently a mentor to moms/dads and their babies at Akwesasne Freedom School. I also help in raising my 2 grandkids in the language. I was raised in the language and even though we went to school where we were told Not to speak in our language, my Mother fought hard for My Sisters and I to continue talking in Kanienkeha when we got home from School every day. This helped me decide to do the same for my 2 kids and raise them as first language speakers. 

Shekon Kawennenhawi Nelson Iontiats tanon Kanehsatake nitewakenon. I am currently teaching at Akwesasne Freedom school, and I’ve been there for 4 years now. My Husband is from Akwesasne and we have 2 kids. 

I always wanted to be a teacher like my Ista, but decided to go on a different path, and chose Nursing instead. I was a nurse for almost 12years. I took care of our Totas at the local Elders Home here in Akwesasne and enjoyed conversing with them in Kanienkeha on a daily basis. But what saddened me the most was not just in their passing, but that there was no one to take their place with SPEAKING our Language after they were gone. And so I decided to switch careers and teach the young ones our Precious Language, after seeing that I was capable of teaching my own children. My Mother and I thrive on having a Kanienkeha rich environment for my children to live and grow in. Together we want to help others do the same.