Jake Thomas Learning Centre

              
                 I chose the Jake Thomas Learning Centre website for the  Module 2 blog. The center was founded by Jacob "Jake" Thomas who "was a leading proponent and interpreter of Iroquoian culture: craftsman, condoled Cayuga Chief, longhouse speaker or official "Faithkeeper", singer, preacher of the Code of Handsome Lake, master of the Condolence Ceremony, authority on the Great Law of Peace." He was a speaker and advocate of the 5 original Hodenosaunee languages and was a teacher, interpreter and orator throughout the Six Nations. He handmade artistic pieces to support and preserve the oral tradition of passing down speeches given in the Longhouse he had learned. Jake passed away in 1998, and his wife Yvonne Thomas continues the mission of the center. (Jake Thomas Learning Centre 2004-2015)

                The website has several objectives. It desires to establish resources where educators can learn firsthand about the history and culture of the Iroquoian people. It also wants to carry on educational programs which promote knowledge of Iroquoian culture and language, and to provide funds to charitable organizations that offer educational programs. A digital archival project consisting of over 90,000 hand written documents is being made in various languages such as Onondaga, Cayuga and Mohawk. The documents include important speeches and ceremonies. About 2,500 of the documents have been scanned, but eventually all 90,000 documents will be made available on the internet for the public.(Jake Thomas Learning Centre 2004-2015)

                There is a calendar of events where Native American objects can be made with instruction such as beaded items and corn husk moccasins.The website also contains a page showing reproductions of traditional Wampum belts that are available for purchase. One of the belts is called the Women's Nomination Belt, which represents that women are equal and have the right to nominate or depose a chief in their clan. (Jake Thomas Learning Centre 2004-2015)

                Another belt is the Dish With One Spoon, which represents that "the hunting grounds of the Haudenosaunee that were meant to be shared, and no blood will spill over hunting disputes." The belt is all white except for the center of the belt that depicts a plate with a beaver tail on it. In 1887, Chief John Buck described the belt as "This represents all “Indians” on this continent or Turtle Island. They have entered into one Great League and contract that they will all be One and have One Heart. The circle in the center is a dish with a beaver’s tail, indicating that they will have one dish and what belongs to one will be shared among all." (Jake Thomas Learning Centre 2004-2015)

                The perspective of the website is to maintain the traditional languages, culture and beliefs of the Iroquoian people for future generations to learn and preserve. I enjoyed learning about the various belts and what they symbolized.  I would like to have seen more information about Longhouse speeches and also would have liked to view some of the written documents that are being archived. I realize the project is a work in progress and will have to check back on the website in the future.

Jake Thomas Learning Centre (2004-2015) Retrieved from: http://www.jakethomaslearningcentre.ca/about.html