Oneida at U of T
- Oneida is an Iroquoian language, and is in the same family as Mohawk, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora Nations.
- Oneida is one of the original Five Nations that joined together to establish the Tree of Peace confederacy called the Hotinuhshuni, People of the Longhouse. Learning Oneida gives one entry into the rich Ukwehuwe culture and ceremonial traditions.
- By taking Oneida at U of T, you learn many things using the Oneida language. These include the "Thanksgiving Address," the Oneida Creation Story, the Great Law and the Clan system. Also, traditional water drum songs and the hymns that preserve the written language are explored and practiced.
- Oneida language is the key to Iroquoian knowledge and Aboriginal Studies. By learning about Oneida and its speakers, you will increase your knowledge of Canada, its roots and identity, and will further develop an appreciation of what Canada is.
- Visit the Aboriginal Studies website for more information.
- Consult the A&S calendar for specific course offerings.
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Is Oneida an oral language rather than a written one?
It is both. For the speakers who learned it as their first language it can be argued that it is oral. For those who learn it both as written and oral can claim both. It only took one person to learn how to write the alphabet and it became a written language. Oneida elders wrote their hymns out and those works will be studied and practiced. -
Is the writing system hard to learn?
No, it is simpler because we only use 15 letters of the 26 letter English alphabet. Culture informs, stories explain, identity creates persons, language expresses. - I have never been a good language learner, and I hear that Oneida is very hard to learn?
Aboriginal learners gain back their spirituality, mental capacity, emotionality and physical perspectives as well learn about the Natural cycles through learning of the calendar. Learning Oneida really expands one's capacity exponentially. An assistant is available to help you outside of class time, and the program is building resources to enable you to listen to the language whenever you choose. - What is the classroom experience like?
Time spent talking, reading things such as the thanksgiving address, singing drum songs and Oneida hymns, and learning technically relevant information helps to build a solid language appreciation and understanding over the course of the fall/winter session. The class averages around 10 people and class time is 3 hours per week. Class structure tries to follow an Ukwehuwe format and we practice the teachings as we learn them. A TA is available for student help.
