A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
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By: Jaclyn Hall The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne recently announced on April 24th, a new garden initiative set to take place during this year's gardening season stating, "Under Kaienthohsera-Akwesasne Garden Initiative, the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne is attempting to help alleviate some food needs by providing raised garden beds to individual households. Each package will include an 8'x4'x1' raised garden bed that will be delivered and installed to the residence. For individuals with or without...
By: Jaclyn Hall We are over two months into this pandemic, and while banners are being hung and billboards showcase the graduating classes of 2020, let's not forgot about the little unsung heroes of Akwesasne. All of Akwesasne's youth, from babies to young adults, have been impacted by this isolation period, and they deserve as much praise as their older counterparts. It appears we have reached a sort of calm during the storm, and families have adjusted to the new normal in their own unique...
By: Jaclyn Hall The Akwesasne Mohawk Board of Education, Iakwa'shatste Youth Fitness and Akwesasne Child and Family Services recently came together and brainstormed on the different events they could host together. A short while later, the Kanieńkehá:ka Family Scavenger Hunt was announced. The Kanieńkehá:ka Family Scavenger Hunt challenged families to spend time together being physically active, while encouraging the entire family to learn a new word in Kanieńkehá daily. The scavenger hunt...
By: Jaclyn Hall Organizations, businesses and community members have taken it upon themselves to give back to Akwesasne. There have been some creative and innovative ways of giving back during this ongoing pandemic. If you would like to share and or acknowledge an act of kindness with our community, please send photos and information to [email protected] Here are some Akwesasronon acts of kindness caught on camera....
By: Jaclyn Hall The Three Sisters Sovereignty Project organized one of the first tree giveaways in Akwesasne, for 2020. Tiffany Cook, one of the "Three Sisters", was set up at the Red Oak Farm in Akwesasne on April 27th. The following day Kawenniiosta Jock, another one of the "Three Sisters" set up a tree giveaway at the Peoples Fire on Kawehno:ke. The tree giveaways were made possible with the help of the Schoharie Valley Soil and Water and the Saratoga Tree Nursery, both are branches of the...
By: Jaclyn Hall It seems as though the majority of Akwesasronon are getting back to the land, with the encouragement of multiple organizations who have been distributing free seeds, saplings, seedlings and supplies to create raised bed gardens. While it has become commonplace to see raised bed gardens all throughout Akwesasne, it seems as though many have forgotten why raised beds became a necessity in Akwesasne, and why it is an important part of our history. It was not so long ago when our...
By: Jaclyn Hall Saturday May 2nd was the long-awaited Annual Seed Giveaway, hosted by Akwesasne's Task Force on the Environment. "Due to Covid-19, ATFE will change our plans to giveaway seeds to the Akwesasne community. Starting Thursday, April 23rd, 2020 to Friday, May 1st, 2020, we will take orders for seeds over the phone. We will then bundle the seeds packages together for you. On Saturday, May 2nd, 2020, you may pick up your bundle of seeds at former IGA building from 9:00 am 12:00 pm."...
By: Jaclyn Hall Youth in Akwesasne made their debut appearance on social media, with the encouragement of the Akwesasne Child and Family Services. With a Lip Sync contest announced via the Akwesasne Child & Family Services Facebook page, youth throughout Akwesasne pulled out their mic's hoping to win the top prize. With prizes announced for several different age categories, there was no shortage in excitement for the hopeful participants. The deadline for video submissions, was Friday April...
By Jaclyn Hall In recent weeks, the people of Akwesasne have been in a constant state of grief. As the pandemic drags on through the spring, many struggle to support their loved ones throughout their different stages of grief. How are Akwesasronon adapting to loss during these times? Funeral homes announced new practices during this pandemic, limiting the amount of people allowed to attend funeral services. Every single person who has recently lost a loved one has been affected, regardless of...
By: Jaclyn Hall On Monday, April 27th local first responders from throughout Akwesasne joined forces for one specific reason: unity was the spirit of the day as the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service, Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance, Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Service and the Hogansburg Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department all showed their solidarity for our local frontline healthcare workers. "Today, local first responders will be travelling to several locations in Akwesasne to help show support...
By: Jaclyn Hall Home Birth or Hospital? That is a question weighing on expectant mothers' minds, as they approach their due dates during the COVID- 19 Pandemic As a mother of five children and having just delivered my youngest in October 2019 two months premature, it weighs on my mind how expectant mothers are coping during these times. I had originally planned on having a home birth but my son decided to come early, so for both our safety I had no choice but to attend the hospital. When I...
By: Jaclyn Hall As an apprentice studying to be a midwife with the Onkwehonwe Midwives Collective, Kyla Thompson was tasked with an assignment to reach out to the community and promote cultural teachings in Akwesasne. Prior to the pandemic, Thompson had originally planned to teach hoop dancing in person, but circumstances have changed and so have hoop dance lessons as we know it. Thompson got creative when government mandated isolation became our reality, she turned to virtual reality to get...
By: Jaclyn Hall The youth in Akwesasne got a special treat on Thursday, April 9th. The Akwesasne Child and Family Services partnered with the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and CKON Radio to host a special edition of Radio Bingo. The first edition of Kids Kanieńkehá:ka Radio Bingo was hosted, free of charge for the youth in Akwesasne. By phoning into ACFS and requesting bingo cards, families were able to have bingo cards delivered right to their homes. Families who were fortunate enough to play K...
By: Jaclyn Hall All throughout Akwesasne and surrounding areas the definition of frontliners is evolving. The brave people who work tirelessly to provide the community with essential services during this pandemic are beginning to be recognized. Just about all public organizations have been closed to the public, some shut down completely, forcing employees to work from home. Services that were deemed essential remain in operation and open to the public. Occupations such as gas attendants, bank...
By: Jaclyn Hall The Kanieńkehá:ka Nation has been known throughout history as a fierce and strong nation. To any outsider looking in, this may seem true. But for those of us who are living inside the “boundaries” of Akwesasne, we see and feel differently. As much as we would like to keep things positive during this stressful and uncertain time, there is an issue that has arisen in Akwesasne and it needs to be addressed. We are now in our 5th week of a multinational shutdown. So, how has this multinational shutdown affected Akwesasne, a multinat...
By: Jaclyn Hall The Akwesasne Boys & Girls Club took the initiative to help raise the spirits of the young families in Akwesasne by organizing a community wide ABGC Vehicle Easter Egg Hunt. They challenged families to take a trip around Akwesasne – from the safety of their vehicle – in search of 'eggs' posted up throughout the community, from April 8th to 10th. Many families went out in search of the hidden Easter eggs in an attempt to find all eleven signs with an Easter egg on the front. The E...
By: Jaclyn Hall As much as we hold on to tradition and the old ways, times are changing rapidly. Here in Akwesasne, it is changing so fast, we are forced to become more self-sufficient and capable, but is that really a bad thing? When it comes to conducting our sacred ceremonies, feasts, funerals or any sort of celebration at Kanonsehsne (Longhouse); our people have chosen to put the well-being of our knowledge keepers above gathering at Kanonsehsne. With that, has come a newfound confidence in many young people, who were forced to learn how...
By Jaclyn Hall The most obvious change that occurred when the country declared a state of emergency due to the Coronavirus was the extended closure of schools across North America. How has forced home-schooling affected Akwesasronon? Speaking as a mother of 5, it has its pros and cons. Let’s talk about the cons first, so we can end on a positive note with ways to navigate through this challenging time. CON - Loss of income. This is a big one for parents, especially for single parents who are forced to stay home from work. Having young c...
By: Jaclyn Hall While many are new to the events unfolding throughout Turtle Island in the last month, there are those who have been paying attention since the beginning, especially the youth of Akwesasne. For those who are unaware of the events unfolding throughout Canada, in support of the Wet’suwet’en Nation, there is a lot to catch up on. Beginning last year, when the Wet’suwet’en Nation was raided the first time by RCMP and Coastal Gaslink, people of the Kanieńkehá:ka Nation took notice. Members of the Wet’suwet’en Nation came to the b...
By: Jaclyn Hall On Wednesday, March 4th, 2020, Akwesasronon from all walks of life gathered at two separate starting points to participate in a unity march. The youth led Unity March began at two separate locations; starting in the west at the old TVI Building, starting in the east at the Kateri Hall. Beginning at 11 am, supporters began to proceed down Route 37, heading towards Generations Park. Once everyone arrived at Generations Park, a tobacco burning and community condolence was...
By: Jaclyn Hall On Monday, February 24th, the Ontario Provincial Police moved in on a peaceful Wet'suwet'en support camp, located on Wyman Road inside the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory boundary line. The support camp was erected on February 6th in response to the RCMP raids on Wet'suwet'en Territory blocking the GasLink pipeline. One member of the Kanieńkehá:ka Nation stated, "There are no trains blocked, nothing on the tracks. We simply said, 'You shall not pass'. No trains were allowed to p...
By: Jaclyn Hall Taking place at the Tsi Snaihne Recreation on Sunday morning, Iakwa'shatste Youth Fitness organized an Akwesasne Winter Carnival Snowshoe Race. The track is located just outside of the recreation center. Beginning at 10 am, participants were invited to strap on some snowshoes, provided by Iakwa'shatste and make their way around the snow-covered track. All racers were given medals for participating once they completed their laps. "We had 6 participants in the 3 lap snowshoe race....
By: Jaclyn Hall Many little beauties in Akwesasne made their way out to the Tsi Snaihne Recreation, dressed to impress, to be a part of the Miss Akwesasne Beauty Pageant. Organized by Creeations Hair Studio; with the hard work of Lauren Cree, Tanisha Thompson and Krystian Mitchell, the event was a complete success. "I was really happy with how the Miss Akwesasne Beauty Pageant went. Contestants and parents did a great job! It was nice to bring the pageant back to the Akwesasne Winter Carnival th...
By: Jaclyn Hall The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne's Environment Division has found some new and exciting ways to engage the community. One particular event; World Wetlands Day has become an annual event in Akwesasne, thanks to MCA. Every year on February 3rd, people across the world celebrate World Wetlands Day with a different theme each year. This year's theme was "Wetlands and Biodiversity" and there was definitely plenty of diversity at this year's event. This year's World Wetlands Day event...
By Jaclyn Hall The first General Meeting of the year was held at the St. Regis Recreation Center, on Thursday January 23rd. Beginning at 6pm, Council began with a call to order, consisting of Council’s attendance and a moment of silence for recently deceased community members. Council went on to accept the agenda, before going over the rules of order. Next on the agenda, was a follow up of November 2019 Action items. The first presentation held during the General Meeting was a presentation by AMBE’s Board of Trustees. Board members briefly wen...
