The Thanksgiving Address, used to open all traditional Mohawk gatherings, is the foundation for the curriculum. It provides guidelines for learning respect and giving thanks to the Creator and to all creation. It teaches that creation has a spirit and is a living being. Each school day is opened and is closed by one of the students giving the Thanksgiving Address in Mohawk from memory. Thus, each student is trained to be a public speaker.
Language is the key to cultural survival.
Because language exists in a social context, language is taught thematically. A general introduction is given to vocabulary, semantics, and syntax. Language is learned through speaking, singing, writing and reading. The final semester is taught in English to ease the transition to public schools, where federal funds provide only one-half hour of Mohawk language instruction daily. Mathematics is taught in a program similar to the public school s.