When we lose a language, our whole human heritage shrinks. Keeping Their Culture Alive Students at the Freedom School learn about Mohawk traditions and history as well as the language. The kids have Native names their clan mother gave them when they were born. A clan mother is a respected older woman. Her job is to name babies and help the clan's children learn and grow.
Children belong to their mother's clan, and their Native names come from that clan.
That's why it's so long. Although their pride in their heritage is strong, these students can't neglect English. The students' knowledge of Mohawk language and culture helps them appreciate what it means to be Native American. They're taught to be proud of who they are. Historians estimate that there were between 12 million and 15 million Native Americans in what is now the U.S. and Canada before any European settlers arrived.