A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
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Dozens of Mohawks carrying signs of protest stood at the crossroads on Kawehno:ke (Cornwall Island) Friday to begin a month-long demonstration voicing their opposition to the arming of Canada Customs agents. The Canadian Border Services Agency is arming their border agents with guns beginning on June 1, 2009. As there is a port of entry on Kawehno:ke – Akwesasne territory – and as that border crossing is used predominantly by Akwesasne Mohawks, locals are adamantly against the CBSA dec...
The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe held it’s annual tribal council caucus on Saturday for three positions: chief, sub-chief and tribal clerk. The SRMT’s 6-person council of three chiefs and three sub-chiefs holds elections using a staggered system. Each year one chief and one sub-chief is elected. The tribal clerk position is a 3-year term. This year, the chief position held by Barbara Lazore and the sub-chief position held by Stacy Adams have their turn for the June election. Chief Lazore was not see...
ST. REGIS MOHAWK TRIBE – The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe announced today that a referendum is being scheduled for June 6, 2009 and will ask the tribal membership, “Should the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe exit the National Grid system and form a Tribal Electrical Utility?” Economic and engineering feasibility studies commissioned by the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe are nearing completion. The studies conclude that a stand-alone Tribally-operated electrical utility is economically feasible, with the main advantages of avoiding electric distribution rate incre...
Submitted by the ATFE Niawenkó:wa Akwesasró:non! Everyone give yourselves a pat on the back. Sonkwaiatí:son (Our Creator) is smiling on us, seeing his children picking up trash and taking care of Mother Earth. Who says Ahkwesáhsne has no community spirit? We really proved we have it on Saturday, May 2nd. The Roadside Cleanup event may be over, but let’s not forget our responsibility to keep Mother Earth clean. If we all do our duty, then someday the Cleanup Day will not be needed. Come on Akwesa...
Katherine (Gushlaw) Rowe, age 79, of Lemoyne Ave. in the Town of Salina, Syracuse, NY, died Friday at St. Joseph’s Health Care Ctr. A native of the St. Regis Mohawk Nation, she was a daughter of the Late Peter & Louise Johnson. Katherine retired in 1980 after 30 years as a Machine Operator at Prestolite in Syracuse, and most recently as a cashier at Big Lots in Mattydale. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliaries of the American Legion Post #1832 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3146, b...
Dear Readers, My mother, Elda Cook asked that I write this letter on her behalf concerning an incident that took place at her residence. The issue of non-Mohawk businesses coming onto Akwesasne to do what ever business they like without proper over sight and regulation has long been unresolved. This short story is an example of this fact. We read the apology in Indian Time last week on page 22 from the Tarbell Management Group who contracted with an outside company to carry on a survey without notifying the community. We think this apology was...
Dear Editor: Re: Akwesasne Opposition to the Arming of Canada Customs Officers at Akwesasne Akwesasne existed as a Mohawk Community long before the international border was overlaid on our ancient territory. This border has naturally caused us concern over the years, and we have had to make many adjustments to our lives because of it. Throughout it all, our people have maintained that our Aboriginal and Treaty Rights, including our Border Crossing Rights must be respected. There have been many times when situations at the border have...
A Special Thank You The family of Esther C. Loran would like to thank everyone in the community who expressed kindness and compassion in our time of need. We would like to thank all the people who sent generous food donations, beautiful flowers, and comforting cards. Your loving kindness will always be remembered by all of us. A Special Thank You to the Ladies Auxiliary Post 1479, for serving the family and friends a wonderful traditional dinner. Also a Thank You to the United Methodist Church, Akwesasne Mohawk Singers, The Rev. Deborah...
The Potsdam Association of Native Americans would like to send a big NIAWENKO:WA to the following for their contributions to the fundraiser held at the Brass Horse Lounge on Saturday, April 25, 2009: Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Treetop Boutique Bear’s Den Gift Shop CKON BJ’s Wholesale Akwesasne Museum Gift Shop Ronnontahoni Cultural Center Akwesasne Sports Akwesasne Notes Bookstore DJ Aaron Terrance Brass Horse Lounge and all students, alumni, and community members who help make this fundraiser a success!! The funds made at the event are goi...
(South Stormont, Ontario -Monday May 4th, 2009) – Three area residents face charges for possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped under authority of the Excise Act 2001 as a result of a joint law enforcement operation with officers from the Canada Border Services Agency and the Cornwall RCMP Detachment. On April 29th, 2009, an officer from CBSA observed people moving cardboard boxes of contraband cigarettes into a tractor-trailer that was parked at a residence on Hunter’s Road in Osn...
AKWESASNE TERRITORY – The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe announced today that it will hold a Tribal Referendum on Saturday, June 6, 2009 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Tribal Community Building on the following question: “Do you want Tribal land disputes to be decided by the Tribal Court?” If the issue passes, that will mean the Tribal Court will make the final decision on land disputes and an ordinance will be developed and adopted accordingly. If the issue does not pass, that will mean the Tribal Council will continue to make the final decis...
April 27, 2009 BORDER CROSSING On January 1, 2009, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) instituted a new “informed compliance” policy. This policy gives U.S. border agents new instructions about informing travelers about the border crossing rules that will go into effect June 1, 2009. Our current Red Cards will still be reconized until at least June 1. If you or anyone you know is told by a CBP agent that your Red Card is not acceptable for passage into the US by land or sea, please take the name of the agent and contact Cherri Mor...
Akwesasne, ONTARIO —The Akwesasne Torchbearer Selection Committee announced that it has launched a process for selecting a torchbearer for the Akwesasne leg of the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay. Akwesasne residents interested in having the historic opportunity to carry the Olympic Torch in the territory of Akwesasne are being encouraged to submit their interest. Only one community member will be selected to carry the Olympic Torch along a designated route when it comes to Akwesasne in December 2009. The Akwesasne Olympic Torchbearer selection p...
Grand Chief Thompson of the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne gave permission to the performers of the Foundation of the Parade of Nations to hold its Echoes of the World series, in front of the Peace Tree Plaza on Cornwall Island this Saturday, May 9 from 11:00 to 3:30 p.m. The purpose of the event is to fundraise and promote the Parade of Nations festival which will be held in Cornwall on Sept. 26 and 27. Among the contests at the September event will be a regalia outfit contest, male and female of all ages, National and clown costumes, floats,...
(Akwesasne - April 30, 2009) This is to introduce Victoria Keays Irving — she is known as Viki - who has been appointed as Quebec / Akwesasne Liaison Officer with the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne since September 2008. The role of this position is to cover the services that were previously provided to the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and to the community by the late Francoys Boyer- Prior to becoming the Quebec / Akwesasne Liaison Officer, Viki Irving was employed with the Mohawk Council as a registered practical nurse at the lakhihsotha nursing h...
Submitted by Louise McDonald The ceremony to initiate young boys and girls into adulthood is just around the corner. Sunday’s gathering was a flurry of activity, with the youth doing several activities to prepare for their spiritual journey in the coming weeks. Local craft women Donna Benedict and Leona Barnes demonstrated how to piece together a feather holder and tobacco pouch. Each initiate will carry spiritual items like an eagle feather and tobacco in a bundle that will accompany them on t...
If you thought there were some strange things going on in Akwesasne this week, you were right. You weren’t seeing things when you thought people were walking up and down the aisles of convenience stores strangely examining every shelf. You didn’t suddenly rise to fame and that’s why you were suddenly being asked for your business card. Your eyes weren’t playing tricks on you when it seemed that there were many groups of people around Akwesasne all dressed alike. The Jacobs Tobacco Company...
The Mohawk Ambulance Service is currently recruiting new men and women to join their valuable workforce. Two permanent positions for Emergency Medical Technicians are to be posted shortly and the program is always in need of supply staff to fill in. “We are short on staff right now,” said Program Director Lois Terrance. There are a total of 9 permanent EMT positions at Mohawk Ambulance by five of the individuals who hold those positions are on leave. Earlier this spring, Mohawk Ambulance receive...
A trio of women from Akwesasne had ventured into the business of food. Edith McDonald and her daughter Sherry Roundpoint and niece Pamela Cook have just opened ESP Catering. The business’s name is derived from their first initials but the ladies had some fun with it when creating their motto. Aprons and business cards read “ESP Catering: We Know What You Want.” McDonald said that all three women are good cooks and so the idea to start a business began. McDonald retired two years ago, pavin...
Fifteen proud women celebrated their graduation from Iohahi:io’s Office Administration Program on Thursday evening before their friends, families and teachers. The one-year course, delivered in partnership with St. Lawrence College, gave the students an abundance of knowledge encompassing many professional areas. The women became skilled in organizational skills and especially in public speaking. “This particular group had a gazillion presentations to do,” said Vincenette Cook, Program Manag...
The St. Regis Recreation hosted a fleece tie blanket class on Saturday, April 25. There were 15 participants and they all enjoyed picking out, and making their own blankets. What a great bunch of children we had. When they finished with their own, most offered to help the smaller children tie or cut their blankets. As they waited for their lunch to be brought in (Thanks Wayne) they all got to use their blankets and watch a movie on the big screen TV. This event was sponsored by the St. Regis...
A total of 24 SUNY Potsdam students recently were inducted into the Omicron-Psi Honor Society, the national honor society for non-traditional adult learners. To be a member, students must have earned a grade point average of at least 3.3 and committed themselves to living their lives with honor, integrity and service in the home, community, workplace and country. Inducted were: Senior Megan Barnes of Massena Graduate Student Beth Blakeslee of Pennellville Senior Kayla Bush of Massena Senior...
A benefit poker tournament was held recently at the Mohawk Bingo Palace to raise money for the Early Childhood Development Program (Headstart). In addition to the money raised by the tournament, winners who knocked out 1 of 5 bounties donated their winnings back to the ECDP as well. A check for $1664 was presented to the ECDP children by Brent Ransom. Rick Tarbell donated $100 (knocked out 2 bounties), Emergy Luscia donated $50 and Craig Fuller donated $100 from his winnings. The following...
The SUNY Potsdam Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) and the Teacher Opportunity Corps (TOC) recently honored 36 graduates at a reception at the home of Christine Lancaster, former SUNY Potsdam College Foundation Board trustee. The CSTEP members who were recognized for completion of their degree programs were seniors Kalen Casey of Schoharie, Kofi Ramsay of Brooklyn, Durriya Pierce of Bronx, Alvin Dike of Bronx, Nelson Gedeon of Far Rockaway, Serge Clement of St. Albans,...
Heritage Week was celebrated at the Ahkwesahsne Mohawk School April 27-30, with several events focused on Native culture. On Monday, Eddie Gray had the honor of doing the traditional opening to start the week off. Throughout the week the students participated in the Tom Longboat Race, a Social in the AMS gym, a Young Native Artist contest, Storytelling and a Fashion Show with our own AMS students modeling fashions from Marie Thompson, Sandy Jackson and Marlana Thompson’s traditional clothing. T...
