BACKGROUND

The Jake Thomas Learning Centre is an independent experiential learning centre for Iroquoian culture. Founded by traditional Cayuga Chief Jake Thomas and his wife Yvonne, the centre is intended to preserve and promote Iroquoian culture within the community and throughout the world. Since its inception in 1993, the Centre has offered a series of language workshops in Cayuga, Mohawk and Onondaga; traditional teaching seminars on the Great Law, the Code of Handsome Lake and the Thanksgiving Address.

Situated within the Iroquoian Museum of Culture's Theme Park, the Centre will be a "state of the art" Library Resource Centre with a full inventory of native specific library material, an audio-visual centre, a language resource centre, all of which will be available on worldwide Internet web.

MISSION STATEMENT

To foster and enrich Iroquoian cultural identities through the development and promotion of language, cultural and educational activities.

This mission will advance by the creation of a learning environment for both Iroquoian and non-Iroquoian peoples.

Objectives

1. To establish a historical and current Library Resource Centre whereby educators from all over the world can come to research and learn firsthand about the history and development of the Iroquoian people.

2. To carry on educational programs in order to promote the knowledge of Iroquoian culture and Language through research, education and publication and distribution of books, papers, reports, periodicals and pamphlets, and to provide funds to charitable organizations which carry on such educational programs.

3. To design. develop and maintain a Language Development Program whereby all aspects of the Iroquoian Language can be preserved and taught to all age groups.

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