Kanien'kehá:ka teen shares 'coming out' journey with love and support from family

Everyone in Rowennakon Doxtater’s family carries a name in Kanien’kéha, or the Mohawk language.

It’s why it was important for the 14-year-old to keep the tradition alive when he began identifying as male earlier this year.

With the change of the prefix his name, which means “he speaks softly,” now reflects Doxtater’s pronouns. 

“Our names are very important in our culture,” said Doxtater.

“I didn’t want to get rid of it and name myself something else. It’s good that our language can do that and change the gender of the name.”

Doxtater first came out as non-binary to his mom Kahente Horn-Miller, and then later said