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Indigenous Education

Celebrating our first two PhD graduates

June 22, 2024

A photo of Tahohtharátye Joe Brant and Lisa Crowshoe with Jean-Paul Restoule, Ewa Czaykowska-Higgins, and Onowa McIvor Whitinui

Indigenous Education proudly acknowledges our first two PhD graduates in Indigenous Language Revitalization.

Tahohtharatye Joe Brant and Lisa Crowshoe marked their remarkable achievement on June 10, 2024, each receiving the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Indigenous Language Revitalization. They were honoured at the Indigenous Recognition Ceremony held that evening where they were blanketed and celebrated with great pride.

Tahohtharatye Joe Brant

Tahohtharátye Joe Brant, a Kanyen'kéha (Mohawk language) advanced-proficiency speaker and language activist, is the first student to have completed a PhD in Indigenous Language Revitalization at UVic. From Tyendinaga Mohawk Nation Territory, he has served as a teacher and elementary school principal, Mohawk language lead, and lead researcher, and currently holds a position as Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto in the Centre for Indigenous Studies and Department of Linguistics. His doctoral research developed an innovative approach to using first-language speaker documentation to support advanced Kanyen'kéha proficiency in adult learners — a contribution described by his supervisor as revolutionary in the field. Read more about Tahohtharatye's journey.

Lisa Crowshoe

Lisa Crowshoe, an educator and Niitsi'powahsin (Blackfoot language) activist, is the second student to have completed her PhD in Indigenous Language Revitalization at UVic. With over three decades of work bringing the Blackfoot perspective into K–12 classrooms and curriculum, her research explores a method for Blackfoot youth to improve their well-being while learning values-based Niitsi'powahsin — drawing on the wisdom of Piikani Elders and Knowledge Keepers. Read more about Lisa's journey.