Hadajigehta’ Jacob Ezra Thomas was a leading Haudenosaunee cultural authority and Confederacy chief who played a foundational role in the cultural revitalization for over three decades (1970, 1980, 1990) to preserve and promote the languages and ceremonies. One of the most knowledgeable cultural resource people from the Six Nations Territory, Jake was an accomplished and inspiring leader who was at the forefront in preserving, promoting and protecting Haudenosaunee cultural traditions for future generations.
In 1993, Chief Thomas and his wife Yvonne developed the Jake Thomas Learning Centre, an experiential community-based organization with a vision to create an environment of learning for both Iroquoian and non-Iroquoian peoples and a mission dedicated to preserving and promoting Haudenosaunee language, culture, art and traditions. The Jake Thomas Learning Centre remains open and
active today and is led and administered by his wife Yvonne Thomas who continues their shared vision and hope to advance on the promotion and sharing
of traditional knowledge and languages for future generations.
