Tahohtharátye Joe Brant

Tahohtharátye Joe Brant is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto, affiliated with both the Centre for Indigenous Studies and the Department of Linguistics. He is a Kanyen’kéha (Mohawk language) advanced-proficiency speaker and language activist from the Tyendinaga Mohawk Nation Territory. His research focuses on Indigenous language revitalization, particularly leveraging documentation of first-language speakers to support advanced proficiency development in adult learners.

Education:

• PhD in Indigenous Language Revitalization (2023), University of Victoria, supervised by Dr. Onowa McIvor
• MILR (Master of Indigenous Language Revitalization, 2014), University of Victoria
• Completed Mohawk language immersion programs (2004–2005)

Research & Impact: Developed the Collaborative Practitioner Documentation Approach for Indigenous language revitalization, emphasizing Indigenous protocols and worldviews. His doctoral work produced an online repository of Kanyen’kéha resources and an advanced language learning unit. He co-leads the SSHRC-funded NEȾOLṈEW̱ Partnership Grant project Ratiwennókwas, focusing on language preservation in Tyendinaga.

Community Engagement: Served as a teacher, elementary school principal, and language lead in Tyendinaga. Raised his children as first-language Kanyen’kéha speakers—the first in their community in over 60 years. Advocates for intergenerational language use beyond academic settings, emphasizing its healing potential for Indigenous communities.