A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
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The youth are the future of Akwesasne and have previously felt uninformed and unheard on issues that effect them. The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Nation Building Program recognizes the importance of youth and together with the help of the Akwesasne Area Management Board, INAC Gathering Strength Capacity Initiative and MCA Community Support Program they have organized the second Akwesasne Youth Forum to provide Akwesasne youth with a voice and a platform to do so. The youth assembled at the St....
Two of the most common New Years resolutions are to quit smoking and lose weight. Those individuals looking to stop smoking in the New Year can find the resources and support that they need from the Akwesasne Stop Smoking Program. Smoking has major health risks associated with it, including: cancer, emphysema and heart disease, not to mention the dangers of second hand smoke especially on young children. If you are making the choice this New Year to become smoke-free then the MCA Community...
Does it seem like you have been searching for a place to play pool/billiards? Those were the sentiments of William “Billy” Arquette Jr. owner of Shot Callers Billiards of 54 Orvis Street Massena, New York. Arquette had been playing pool since he was 8 years old and used to enjoy playing at the old pool hall that was located in Akwesasne. But, after it closed he would go to Cornwall to play and said it always felt like it was a good business. Troubled with the recent border crossing issues he...
When the Kindergarten and Pre-K students at the Kanatakon School returned form their Christmas break they were asked, “What was your favorite present that you received this Christmas from Santa Claus?” From their responses it was obvious that they each had a very fun and happy Christmas. Photos by Mary La France...
Akwesasne caught Olympic fever this week and on Monday hundreds of people gathered at the A’nowara’ko:wa Arena on Kawehno:ke (Cornwall Island) where the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay made a stop. Michael Benedict Jr. and Erin Seymour were named the official Akwesasne torchbearers and Benedict carried the flame to the arena amid cheers and applause from the hundreds of community members who made a path for the flame to be carried. After a few traditional words by Iothore Howard Thompson, condoled chi...
The Seniors Center held their annual Christmas party on Dec. 11. The event was well attended with over 115 people. All were treated to an elegant and delicious meal of prime rib, baked potatoes, squash, and cake made by the wonderful cooks of the Seniors Center. Entertainment was provided by the Mohawk Singers and the River Mohawks had people dancing through the night. “Everyone had smiles on their faces and thought the dinner was delicious!” said Tina Tarbell, activities coordinator. As a spe...
The St. Regis Mohawk School held their annual band and chorus winter concert for parents, friends, and family on Dec. 10. The band was directed by Mr. Justin Hahn and they were dressed festive in matching Santa Claus hats. They played 3 beautiful Christmas carols: “First Christmas March,” “Jolly Old St. Nicholas,” and “We Wish you a Merry Christmas.” The chorus was directed by Mrs. Karen Goodman and they sang 5 fun and beautiful songs: “A Time for Peace,” “The Little Snowflake,” “List...
The Mountain of Toys annual fundraiser was held on Dec. 11 all day from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. at the Hogansburg Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department Station One. Sesir Herne and her many devoted volunteers have been working extremely hard for the past four months to bring an exciting and memorable Christmas to many families in Akwesasne and other surrounding communities. The event is the group’s major donation day with hundreds of people coming in for breakfast and lunch, dropping off donations, a...
If you are looking for the perfect gift, or for a place to escape from the stress of the holiday season, you are sure to find it at Simply You Wellness Spa located at 211 ½ East Orvis Street in Massena, NY. Simply You Wellness Spa offers a variety of rejuvenating services in a relaxing environment. Shelly Chilton is an esthetician with 8 years experience and has been the owner of the spa for 3. Among the spa staff include hair stylist Stacy Arquiett, cosmetologist Angie Frost, and Cubby...
The new Katmandew’s restaurant opened its doors on Nov. 21 and has a lot to offer Akwesasne. The homestyle eatery is located in Rooseveltown across from the Akwesasne Boys and Girls Club. The idea for the restaurant came from owner, Sonia Wade-Mitchell, and her love for singing karaoke and her desire for a place to hold “jam” sessions and open mic nights. In addition to Karaoke, Katmandew’s features home-style cooking. All meals are made from scratch and taken from a collection of family...
On Dec. 3, Community Health Program held another interesting cooking demonstration, this one at the Snye Recreation center. Cooking instructors, Rachel George and Sweets Jacobs, along with guest outdoorsman and author Allan Herne, were on hand to explain how to cook with that venison in your freezer, why eating wild game is better for you, and tips and tricks on how to get rid of that gamey taste and create delicious tasting meals. Mrs. Jacobs says that it is important for people to get back to...
Dec. 1 was World AIDS Day and MCA’s Community Health Program celebrated in a creative and educational way. Every year, the Community Health Program works hard to bring about HIV/AIDS awareness in Akwesasne: education and outreach in schools and with a friendly competition within the community. Every World AIDS Day has had a theme and in Akwesasne for the past few years the friendly competition has had chances to win some great prizes. This was also the first year World AIDS Day has been made m...
Santa’s littlest helper Logan Cree has been growing up with the Mountain of Toys drive for the past 4 years and on Dec. 6 he celebrated his 11th birthday with a Christmas carnival at Brass Horse. His actual birthday is Dec. 8, and because Christmas is just around the corner, and Mr. Cree knows that there are children who do not have the opportunity to celebrate Christmas, he generously made the decision 4 years ago to keep 1 present and to donate all the rest to the Mountain of Toys drive. ...
The St. Regis Recreation held beaded Christmas bulb making classes on Dec. 1 and 2 in preparation for the holidays. Becky Bero, Joann Swamp, and her daughter Charlotte Swamp instructed a full class of both young and old in construction of the unique craft. This was the third class of its kind that was done for the St. Regis recreation center and it takes 2 sessions to finish one beaded bulb. “Everybody who takes the class are realizing just how much work goes into making a small beaded bulb,” sa...
On Dec. 3 seniors at the seniors center in Hogansburg learned a new craft just in time for the Christmas season. The center hosted a free wreath-making class for all of their members. “We are getting into the Christmas spirit,” said Tina Tarbell, Activities Coordinator, “We are always making something.” Many of the seniors said that they have never made wreaths before because when they were younger they never had time to learn new crafts. “It gives you something to do,” said Minerva, “a...
The 2010 Olympic games are said to be the “largest potlatch the world has ever seen!” by Tawanee Jacobs, CEO of the Four Host First Nations Society. The Four Host First Nations Society is a network consisting of the Lilwat, Musqueam, Sqamish, and Tslielwaututh nations, hosts and first time full partners of the 2010 Olympic Games with Vancouver, came to visit Akwesasne youth last week to excite them about the historic event. Mr. Jacobs, along with Wade Grant, assistant general manager and Lea...
The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Office for the Aging received its long awaited new 14-passenger 2-wheelchair handicapped accessible bus this past Tuesday, Nov. 14. The new bus was obtained through a competitive grant from the NYSDOT Section 5310 Program, in which funds are used to purchase buses for not-for-profit organizations that provide transportation services to meet the needs of elderly and disabled individuals throughout the State of New York. The total cost of the bus was $55,200.00. Through...
On Nov. 24, the Let’s Get Healthy Program held their second ever Diabetes Extravaganza at the First American’s IGA in recognition of Nov. Diabetes Awareness Month. The event was designed to highlight programs that support people living with diabetes and that actively prevent the onset of diabetes within Akwesasne. “We want to have fun with everybody we are teaching,” said Janine Rourke, Program Director for the Let’s Get Healthy Program, “and everybody is welcome.” The entire staff was pre...
On Nov. 23, the Akwesasne Employment Resource Center in conjunction with AAMB held their first ever recruitment fair at their main office in Hogansburg. The recruitment fair was a full day event from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. with ample opportunities for Akwesasronon to improve upon their interview skills and possibly acquire employment with one of two recruiters: STAR Tek and TD Canada Trust, both located in Cornwall, ON. However, not everybody who participated was explicitly looking for employment...
With the success of MMA fight Blood Brothers I, Walk High Productions and Flint Warrior MMA presented MMA Blood Brothers II at Jacobs Tobacco Company Nov. 28 with special guest UFC fighter Mike Massenzio. The event begun with an exhibition by youth powwow dancers, Sasta Thomas and Kiannah Thomas, who displayed their dancing talents in the ring before the audience and fighters. The event was announced by Sub-chief Ron LaFrance. Blood Brothers II had some familiar faces from Blood Brothers I as...
The Akwesasne Skating Club has begun its new season with figure skating and power skating held at the A’nowara’kowa Arena on Kawehno:ke (Cornwall Island). Power skating is offered on Tuesdays from 7:30 pm to 8:20 pm and Saturdays from 9:00am to 10:00am for beginner and intermediate level skaters. There have been power skating sessions as far back as there has been a skating club. Coach Lisa Sloan has been coaching power skating for 25 years. “I love being on the ice, always have,” said Mrs. Sl...
All Inn Lounge announced its grand opening of their family run, family oriented pizzeria on Nov. 14 with CKON Radio, activities and giveaways for the kids, Hill Top Rentals, and a benefit for the Akwesasne Basket Drive and Mountain of Toys. Will Stehlin is the head cook and together with Tony Laughing they are the co-owners of All Inn Pizzeria. Mr. Stehlin was co-owner of Chef’s Advice on Kawehno:ke (Cornwall Island) and had the equipment moved to All Inn Lounge for the opening of the new pizzer...
Members of the American Legion Post 1479 auxiliary have been busy collecting donations for care packages for soldiers deployed overseas during the holidays. Community members are asked to donate various items such as books, snacks, toiletries, baby wipes, nail clippers, etc… The organizers have some names of soldiers from the North Country who will be receiving care packages directly and any additional items will go to 4 chaplains who can identify soldiers in need. The American Legion will be p...
On Nov. 19, Potsdam Association of Native Americans (PANA) hosted their annual Iroquois social at SUNY Potsdam. “PANA is an official organization with SUNY Potsdam’s Student Government Association (SGA),” said Tewentahawihtha Cole, President of PANA, “We sponsor activities and events to promote Native Cultural Awareness.” The annual Iroquois social dance was well attended with special guests from NCSTEP and Potsdam Akwesasne Talent Search (PATS) who brought middle and high school students...
On Nov. 20, the American Red Cross held a blood drive at the Hogansburg-Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department’s Station 1. The American Red Cross has been coming to Akwesasne twice a year for the past 5 years since the HAVFD building was constructed. “Giving Blood is a great thing to do,” said Kyle Kitchen, Supervisor of Operations, “It’s saving a life and you’re doing it for someone you don’t even know.” Lisa Hasty has been donating for the past 3 years and said she does it to help other peop...
