A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
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I will admit, the title made me laugh a little. I thought the title was funny because who is really thinking about Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, or PAHs? PAHs are everywhere; in the air we breathe, in our food off the grill, in our waterways, and in some of our seafood, and the list goes on and on and on. So now we all know there are substances that go by the abbreviation PAHs, but what are they exactly, and what does my grill have to do with it? Well, I am glad you asked – PAHs are a g...
On the Friday before Memorial Day, a beginning gardening class was held in the Turtle Room in the Anowarakowa Arena. Nola Benedict, from Economic Development, as well as Peggy Pyke-Thompson, from the Department of Environment, and Sweets Jacobs, from Community Health, organized the event. The first presenter was Mark Leahy from the Indian Agricultural Program of Ontario. Leahy interfaces with natives in Ontario in agricultural matters. During the class, Leahy gave a presentation about basic...
Over the weekend, Kawhenoke Community center held its Spring Fling, which included a magic show on Friday and a carnival on Saturday. The aim of this year’s event was to give the youth activities and things to get them, and their parents, out of the house. On Saturday, Ish Kabible, who encouraged everyone to be part of the act, treated children and families in attendance to a magic show. Jeff Bova and his daughter Keely Bova participated in the strongest kid in the world bit. Jeff was a good s...
On Wednesday, May 16th, Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School celebrated its First Nations Celebration. The purpose of the day’s activities, as described by Richard T.J. Point, was to “demonstrate the pride of our culture,” and to “break down barriers.” The celebration was an all-day event at CCVS, with invitees from Kanatakon School Grade 8, and AMS grade 6, as they are all prospective students. This event had two purposes with one element showcasing the culture of our people for the stude...
Jordan Tehaweiakaron Thompson is an artist currently living in Cornwall, Ontario. He plans to move back to Cornwall Island, where he was born and raised, soon. Jordan attended school on Cornwall Island until grade eight, and from there he went to General Vanier for a year. It was after this year that he finished his high school career at the Proctor Academy in New Hampshire. After High School, Jordan Received his B.A. in Art at Plattsburgh State University, and his Masters in Early Education...
On Sunday, a benefit barbeque chicken dinner was held at the Hogansburg Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department for the Kanatsiohareke Mohawk Community. Proceeds from the benefit were going to support the Mohawk language immersion program, as well as other expenses incurred by the community at Kanatsiohareke, according to Tsiahawi Porter. Dinner, which was 10 dollars an order, included BBQ chicken, macaroni salad, baked potato, salt potatoes, dessert, dinner roll, and a drink. While the benefit was...
The Run/Walkathon benefiting the group of Akwesasne youth attending the Gathering of Condolence, Strength and Peace, took place on Sunday May 20th. With temperatures approaching 90 degrees, it was well over 70 degrees at 9 A.M. The event was organized by Karakwenta Lazore and Teiosakentison Elijah, with the aim of sending their group to Minnesota to take part in the Gathering. Just the day before, On Saturday, the 19th, their group held a benefit chicken barbeque at Mohawk Printing, and...
Listen up: Our food is responsible for a substantial source of Methane – a greenhouse gas with 21 times the global warming potential than carbon dioxide. Food waste makes up nearly 15% of all municipal waste, which weighs in at 33 million tons. Not only that, but wasted food contributes to ozone destroying greenhouse gases lying in the landfill, but during the preparation of food as well. In North America we make the most food waste on the planet, this may also coincide with the highest obesity rates, in that we prepare more, to eat more, a...
Tuesday evening at Salmon River elementary school, the fourth and fifth grade band and chorus held their annual band and chorus spring concert. The band was led by Mr. Justin Hahn, with the notable exception of guest student conductor Chelsie Chamberlain leading “This Old Man”. Of particular note was the recognition of 6 students for their performance at NYSSMA, in which they practiced a piece for months and had to perform in front of strangers, a tough feat for young musicians, indeed! Fol...
You may have heard of Emmy Mitchell’s program dealing with detoxing those battling with Chemical Addiction. It’s called Native Connections Home Detox. Emmy, along with Debbie Francis and Missy Conners make up the core of the operation, each offering strengths and contributing to the whole. What you may not know is that they are currently trying to find funding to continue operations. Recently they admitted their last groups of “cousins,” and at this point are unable to continue due to lack of funding. For what is likely the first program of its...
On Saturday, May 11, 2012 the second annual Kids 4 Fishing event was held at Fulton’s Woods Camp Site. On a beautiful day, 30 kids showed up to participate in this years event. Professional fisherman taught the children about the fundamentals of fishing, with explanations on bait, rods and reels, and other fishing equipment. The kids saw presentations on drug abuse prevention and boater safety, beginning with a presentation given by Tracey Cook and Meghan Bushy of the Saint Regis Mohawk T...
On Thursday May 10, 2012, the Akwesasne Cultural Center held a class on Leather tobacco pouch making taught by Bill Loran. The Akwesasne Cultural Center provides classes targeted at Akwesasronon who will hopefully go on to keep the tradition alive. The students really enjoyed the class, and some go on to become quite proficient at the skills they learn in the courses, going to sell the goods they make or teach others. Thursdays class marked the fourth in a series held on May 2nd, 3rd, 9th and...
In the US, eagles are a federally protected species; in fact, you cannot remove feathers you find on a dead one without proper permits. With the Bald and Golden Eagle being considered sacred by many nations throughout the country, it poses a special challenge to obtain feathers for ceremony. A program of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, named the National Eagle Repository, is the place where aboriginal people can acquire eagles for traditional ceremonies from the federal government....
On Thursday May 10, 2012, Iohahi:io held a closing and recognition ceremony and dinner for those students finishing their 1-year Arts and Sciences certificate. On hand was Vincenette Cook and members of other supporting departments. Students at Iohahi:io are also students of St. Lawrence College through a partnership program. Those recognized at this event will also go on to attend their graduation ceremony at the Cornwall campus of St. Lawrence College in June. The event’s purpose was to close...
Three defendants were sentenced in the attempted drug robbery and murder of Daniel Simonds on May 13, 2008. Brian Latulipe, 28, of Bombay has been sentenced to 14 years in prison; 29-year-old Kaientanoron Swamp of Snye, Quebec, was sentenced to 12 years and seven months; and Bryan Herne of Akwesasne was sentenced to 11 years and three months. Earlier this year, Alan Jacobs and Derrick Cooke were sentenced to 25 years and 151 months respectively, for their role in the robbery and murder. The two remaining defendants, 22-year-old Chad Edwards and...
The world premiere of the lacrosse themed movie, Crooked Arrows, took place on Wednesday at Crouse-Hinds Theater in Syracuse. Crooked Arrows focuses on a coach trying to lead his team of Native lacrosse players to the state championships, and the struggles he and his team face. The film stars 13 Haudenosaunee lacrosse players from the Onondaga, Mohawk, and Tuscarora nations. After being cast, the players set off to Boston to shoot the film, which was completed in just 5 weeks. The film also stars Brandon Routh, star of Superman Returns....
Mark Kawesoton Light is a 55-year-old artist from Akwesasne. Mark is the grandson of Beatrice Deer Jacobs – who will turn 100 next month – and he is also the son of Darlene and Peter Sunday. Mark has been married to his wife going on 26 years, with two sons, 5 grandchildren, one of which he is raising, and another one on the way. Mark believes in our natural ways as human beings, and his work involves traditional aspects of our culture “reflecting where we come from, and the people we are.” Mark...
On Saturday the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe held its annual caucus in the lobby of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Community building to secure nominations for tribal clerk, Sub Chief, and Chief. According to the unofficial list provided by the election committee, the results are as follows: For tribal clerk: Cecil Garrow was nominated by Renee Hart, and seconded by Gary Cole. Clarissa Terrance-Chatland was nominated by Bobbi Joe Cook-Iabunksi, and seconded by Sharon Thompson. Corleen Jacco was...
In Akwesasne, we have a department to deal with nuisance, or abandoned animals. I spoke with Jennifer Herne, a licensed veterinarian technician, about the many services animal control offers the community. Herne, who in July will celebrate her two-year anniversary in the position, pointed out that they do a lot of community outreach, spaying and neutering, vaccinating, and just basic animal health. Herne cited their activities at the Wellness Day every year, holding dog bite prevention classes...
Tuesday the Aboriginal National Invitational Volleyball Championships Organizing Committee met to discuss details around the A.N.I.V.C. The Championship open to natives from all over north America, will be held at the A’nowara ko:wa Arena, and runs from July 27th – Aug 4, 2012. Akwesasne soaring eagles volleyball club and Eastern door & the north will host the Championship. A maximum of 144 teams will compete across 12 male, female, youth and adult divisions. Competition will consist of round robin format games with each team to play a min...
On Saturday, April 28th, teams from all over Akwesasne, and some from outside Akwesasne competed to see who could pick up the most trash in the Annual Akwesasne Roadside Clean Up Day. It was a beautiful day for the event, and teams were not deterred even by the cold wind. A total of 14 teams signed up for the event with collected trash bags totaling 932. The total weight for the trash collected was not known as of Monday evening. There were all different size teams, and door prizes were offered...
On Monday Steve Cross, a Kahnawake Native, made history when he fastened the bolt that turned One World Trade Center, located in lower Manhattan, into the tallest skyscraper in New York City. The 36-year-old ironworker was mere feet from a group of reporters gathered to document the moment the building’s height would overtake the Empire State Building. Cross is a one of a long line of Mohawk ironworkers who have built the towers that make up New York City’s Skyline. Cross’ father, grandfather, and two great grandfathers all were ironw...
On Thursday, anthropologist and author Neal B. Keating visited the Akwesasne Museum. Keating is the author of the recently released book Iroquois Art, Power, and History, which deals with Keating’s hypothesis about the role of art in native culture. I had the privilege of viewing the presentation he had prepared to accompany his book presentation to the Akwesasne Library. It contained some incredible examples of aboriginal art from the pre-Columbian era, which Keating termed the period of a...
Everyone knows pesticides are bad for the environment in some way. If there isn’t a direct impact on a non targeted insect or creature, there is almost certainly going to be an impact on the food chain if taken too far. The problem anyone with a garden can readily tell you is that pests can destroy much of your garden, without providing any alternative benefit. So what is an effective way to combat garden pests and minimize any external impact on plants or animals outside your garden? Well, y...
On Wednesday, April 25th, Henry and Jean Laughing suffered a fire at their home. The fire, with flames shooting out horizontally, destroyed their barn, killing some chickens in the barn as well others outside that had been badly burned, which had to be killed. There was additional damage to the siding on the homes of Jean and her daughter. Workers from the Tribe’s home improvement program were working across the road, and were the first to notice and report the fire. A worker named Tim came u...
