MCA EXTENDS CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF DOROTHY LAZORE
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the peaceful passing of Dorothy (Karihwenhawe) Lazore, of Tsi Snaihne on March 6, 2025. The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne extends its heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and the countless students whose lives she touched.
Dorothy was a devoted champion of the Mohawk language, dedicating her life to its preservation and revitalization. As a language educator, she served not only Akwesasne but many First Nations communities across Canada, and even extended her reach to Hawaii. She developed curricula that fostered the teaching of Indigenous languages, leaving her mark on language programs across Turtle Island and beyond.
Her contributions to language education were immeasurable, but it was her unwavering passion for teaching and preserving the language that set her apart. She was kind, patient, and deeply encouraging with each of her students. Whether you attended one of her classes or many, Dorothy made you feel valued and seen, always treating you as a close friend.
For many years, Dorothy worked with the Ahkwesahsne Mohawk Board of Education, most recently with the AMBE Mohawk Language & Culture Program. Her legacy will continue through the many students she taught, who carry forward the language she worked so hard to preserve.
Dorothy will be greatly missed, but her spirit lives on through the language she dedicated her life to and the countless individuals whose lives she changed. May we continue to honor her legacy by nurturing the language she loved so deeply.
