A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
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Last Wednesday night, the last session of beginner quilting class took place at the St. Regis Recreation. The class spanned over four weeks with two classes a week, so within eight classes students had completed a lap quilt. The teachers of the class were Judy Cole and Martha Cook and the class was sponsored by Community Funding. Judy Cole said they might have more classes in the fall; maybe making ribbon shirts or dresses, and anyone wanting to join the Akwesasne Quilting Club is welcome. The...
On Tuesday June 25th, the Kanatakon School held a powwow to celebrate a year of hard work from staff and students, and invited families to attend as well. Following an awards ceremony in the gym, students lined up for the Grand Entry and headed outside. There were intertribal and traditional dances and leading the songs were the Ojibwe Cree Singers and members of Ratinien’keha:ka Ratirennenha:wi. Lance Delisle emceed the event. A group called Aboriginal Experience told the story of Trickster a...
This isn’t the first time that Sandra J. Terrancel has had trouble with her land. She has been battling various agencies for years over a tract of property. But this time it’s more about decency and common sense. Twenty, yes about 20 years ago, Sandra planted a row of cedar trees on the edge of her property by the road. For years she cared for them and watched as they grew tall and thickened, forming the privacy barrier she always wanted. In one morning they were gone. She thought she heard a n...
Last Wednesday, Kanatakon 5th and 6th graders gave a presentation for parents. As Kaweienon:ni Peters said, “Today the students will be the teachers.” The students recited the 50 Chief Titles of the Condolence Cane within the five nations; Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga and Seneca, an accomplishment Peters’ called a big feat, saying that even some of the leadership is still learning them. The students are in the transition program after being in the immersion program for years. The prese...
On Thursday, June 13th, the St. Regis Mohawk School held a graduation ceremony for the Pre-Kindergarten class. The students walked in to the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance” and took their places on the risers. Students then sang three songs to a very packed house. They sang, “I Like You, There’s No Doubt About It,” “I Wish I Had A Little Red Box” and “It Is Time To Say Good-Bye.” Then the most important part, each student was handed a diploma from Principal Sharlee Thomas. Following the cer...
It was the last Student Achievement Assembly of the school year at the St. Regis Mohawk School on Wednesday morning, June 12th. Principal Thomas directed a contest between the students and staff; whoever was most excited for summer – scream the loudest, and it was pretty darn close with students surely out-numbering staff. I’d say the staff was pretty darn excited! The assembly started by recognizing students who won the ipad minis for selling raffle tickets. Ticket sales are important for the...
On Thursday, the St. Regis Mohawk School band and chorus traveled around Akwesasne to entertain elders. They first stopped at Iakhihsohtha and performed, and then to the Seniors Center. At the Seniors Center it was clear that the crowd had grown from last year. The band played songs from their spring concert. Band director Mr. Justin Hahn, who has been with the music program for 6 years, introduced all of his band members and also recognized some NYSSMA members. Mr. Hahn thanked the crowd and...
In May, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe presented a check in the amount of $300,000 to the Akwesasne Boys & Girls Club. ABGC Executive Director Jessica Cree-Jock explained how the money has helped them, and will further help them expand services from the number of people served, including the summer program and non-youth, to hot meals served. Average daily attendance is up significantly at ABGC from almost 60 in 2011, to almost 80 in 2012, and they serve about 122 for the summer program. They have...
On Friday, the St. Regis Mohawk School held its Student Appreciation Day. This was the fourth year they have done an Appreciation Day to such a large scale. There were several community programs at the school including Let’s Get Healthy, ACDP, Tribal Police, Environment and more. There were also several vendors and stations like the Clarkson STEM Robot program and Bonesteels. Principal Sharlee Thomas said a new addition this year was the focus on college. They have had a feature college each m...
Last Wednesday, the Salmon River Elementary 4th and 5th grade band, under direction of Mr. Justin Hahn, played in the courtyard of Massena Memorial Hospital. The courtyard provided excellent acoustics and the crowd very much enjoyed the show. Mr. Hahn started by introducing each of his band members to the crowd. He also recognized the amazing 14 band members who performed at NYSSMA. The band played songs from their spring concert, which was themed “One World,” and included songs from countries all over the world. They played songs like “Me...
Massena Central senior Sidney Thompson has taken first place in the Northern New York Federation of Women’s Clubs Annual Poetry contest. The letter informing Sidney of her selection said, “Your entry was chosen by our committee for its all encompassing overtones. In any language it could apply to issues on local, national, or even global front.” They described her poem as “being particularly exceptional.” The poem titled “Looking Forward” was written as an assignment for her Creative Writ...
Back on April 27th, Swamp’s Performance Automotive held Cruisin’ for Kids, an event to raise money for the Akwesasne Boys & Girls Club and the Akwesasne Freedom School. Last week, those organizations received the donations, and each received $500.00. “On behalf of the Akwesasne Freedom School I want to say a big Niawenkowa to Swamp’s for having the event and all the support. The kids were really excited for the event and enjoyed it, and the parents did too,” said Okiokwinon Chelsea Francis....
On Friday, Headstart students from the Kanatakon School put on a presentation for parents. Students have been working hard all year with Kakwiroton Cook, and teachers Anen Wheesk and Kanerahtaroroks Francis-Herne. The recited the Opening Address, sang a couple of traditional songs and danced too. They also performed a song called Ohkwari Tare. After the performance, parents and students were treated to snacks in the classroom. The students did a great job!...
Students in a first year seminar at St. Lawrence University under the direction of Dr. Elvira Sanatullova-Allison, completed a community based learning component of the course in Akwesasne. Brenda Papineau, Director of Community Based Learning Partnerships, organized for the students to go to the Akwesasne Freedom School, the St. Regis Mohawk School, the Akwesasne Boys & Girls Club and the Akwesasne Library and Cultural Center. Brenda explained, “I coordinate Community Based Learning at St. L...
Yesterday, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe held a press conference about their recent negotiations with Governor Cuomo. In basic terms, a Memorandum of Understanding was agreed upon in which the tribe will immediately pay New York State half of the monies it has owed since 2010, which is 30 million dollars. In return, the State guarantees that the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe will retain their zone of exclusivity, which includes Franklin, St. Lawrence, Clinton, Essex, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis and...
On Friday, St. Regis Mohawk School first graders were given a presentation about diabetes, eating healthy and being active. Heather Pontius, Calandra Curleyhead and Heather Garrow from the Let’s Get Healthy Program were asked by first grade teachers to come in as a part of the nutrition and exercise unit. Heather, Calandra and Heather first read a story to the kids called “Through the Eyes of the Eagle.” The story talks about a boy named Rain That Dances who learns from the Eagle about how t...
The Akwesasne Boys and Girls Club held their annual clean up day on Saturday and it was gorgeous outside. The clean up day is done every year but this year the ABGC received an ACTION grant from Alcoa, which stands for Alcoans Coming Together In Our Neighborhoods grant. The Alcoa Foundation, the non-profit arm of Alcoa, recognizes volunteer efforts with a $3,000 donation to a charity. First an Alcoa employee must champion an event, which means initiate it and get at least 10 other Alcoa...
On Monday, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe donated $50,000 to the Akwesasne Library and Cultural Center. The money supports the Cultural Center’s overall expenses budget and Irving Papineau, President of the Board of Directors of the Cultural Center said, “The tribe has always been very supportive and stepped up to the plate when we needed. We are very appreciative.” The Tribe has been donating to the library every year for several years. Glory Cole said, “We would really struggle without the yea...
Last week was spring concert week at the St. Regis Mohawk School. Mr. Justin Hahn and Mr. Warren Potter directed and accompanied three morning concerts of wonderful music for parents. On Tuesday May 14th the Pre-K and Kindergarten classes sang many songs with the theme of “One World.” First up was the Pre-K who sang “Frere Jacques,” “Los Pollitos,” “London Bridge” and “Alle Meine Entchen.” Then the Kindergarten came on with “Aloutte,” “Hot Soup,” “Leprechaun Leap” and “Lemonade.” On Wedn...
On Friday, students at the St. Regis Mohawk School traveled to Salmon River to participate in the 5th annual Class Olympics, which rounded out a week of events like crazy hair day, jersey day and mismatch day. The high school gym was full of kids competing in many crazy events, and the St. Regis Mohawk Elementary Pep Band played, adding to the excitement. Teams were divided by class (grade) and each wore their class color. The morning session had kids and staff competing in the skip-rope relay,...
SRMS Elementary Class Olympics...
On Saturday, a meeting at the St. Regis Rec. put final touches on a great summer of softball. The Akwesasne Softball League has 9 teams confirmed and will most likely have 10. The games will be every Sunday at 6pm. Akwesasne Softball League Treasurer Diane Lazore said the league is family oriented and not crazy competitive. President of the Akwesasne Softball League Ken Sharrow said this is not just one season of softball, this is ongoing and he hopes to involve younger kids in seasons to come....
The third annual Kids for Fishing got underway on Saturday despite the fact that the weather didn’t want to cooperate. The morning started with several important presentations. Tony David and Mary LaFrance from the SRMT Environment Division talked about wetlands, water quality and fisheries. Leona Barnes-Wholistic Health, and Chelsea Sunday-ACDP, did an activity with the kids about drug and alcohol prevention where the kids got a hands-on experience of what it is like to be under the influence....
It was a gorgeous day last Thursday for the St. Regis Mohawk School to hold its Student Achievement Assembly for the months of March and April outside. The band and recorder players played a mini concert for students and families for the double month assembly, which recognized students that showed excellence with the trait “Honesty” in March and “Compassion” in April. Three students from each grade for each month were chosen by classroom and special area teachers on not only these traits,...
For four years, Koi Express Japanese Hibachi Steakhouse has been bringing Japanese food to Akwesasne and surrounding areas. In fact, owner Karen Adams says people from all over come to Koi, from Plattsburgh to Gouverneur, and some declare their sushi is better than what they’ve had in New York City. And from the looks of it on Wednesday that may be right because it was BUSY! Owners Jake and Karen Adams have expanded the menu substantially since opening. They have added a buffet on Tuesdays, Wedn...
