Elder
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Yvonne Thomas was the closest collaborator and supporter of her late husband,
celebrated Cayuga Hereditary Chief and culture-bearing elder Jacob Thomas.
Yvonne worked along side Chief Thomas for over 25 years as he fostered and enriched
traditional Haudenoshaunee (Iroquoian) culture. As co-founder and principal
administrator for Jake Thomas Learning Centre (JTLC), Yvonne collaborated on
the creation and implementation of the JTLC’s core projects and programs,
which include on and off site language classes, traditional lifestyle/knowledge
workshops and a publication roster featuring hundreds of titles. Often working
behind the scenes, Yvonne helped record, transcribe, preserve and catalogue
much of the JTLC’s irreplaceable cultural collection.
A gifted culture-bearer in her own right, Yvonne has given lectures and demonstrations
at institutions like the Iroquois Indian Museum (New York), the Field Museum
of Natural History (Chicago) and the McMichael Canadian Collection. She is able
to read, write and speak Mohawk fluently, and is also a Traditional counselor
and healer.
