A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
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By Doug George-Kanentiio. I was privileged to have been asked by the Mohawk Nation Council to serve as editor of both Akwesasne Notes and Indian Time (IT), first in 1984 for six months and then from 1986-1992. We had a remarkable staff of Akwesasronon with a peak of 24 employees in the fall of 1987. My task was to determine what information was printed in Notes which was distributed around the world and was the only publication of its kind since our priority was to provide our readers with accurate reports about Indigenous events wherever they...
by Melinda Myers Add exotic long-lasting orchid blossoms to your indoor garden. These living bouquets provide months of beauty with minimal care. Just provide the proper growing conditions and success is sure to follow. The moth or phalaenopsis orchid is the one best adapted to your home environment, making it the easiest to grow. It thrives in the same temperatures as people with night temperatures in the 60s and 70 to 80 degrees during the day. However, avoid hot and cold air drafts that can...
Winter blues got you down? Spending time outside can help boost your mood and both your physical and mental health. "Getting outside in the wintertime can really help your state of mind," says Kris Kiser, President of the TurfMutt Foundation, an organization that has spent the last 15 years advocating for outdoor living and the care and stewardship of our yards, parks, and other green spaces, for the benefit of all. He adds, "Just twenty minutes outside can make a big difference for your mood...
Photos submitted by Danny David....
By Doug Kanentiio George. He based his campaign on a formula that has proven to be very effective in past elections. He was able to convince millions of Americans to vote against their own self interests. He will affect a massive shift in economic wealth (behavioral economics) which will leave the majority of his supporters further into poverty. He did this by the following: -fear and racial bias. He hammered home the threat of millions of brown skinned aliens invading the US to murder, rape and pillage-while stealing American jobs. This was...
by Melinda Myers It's time to begin tackling that gift list for the holidays. Consider gifting your favorite gardener something practical and attractive to enjoy for months and even years. No matter your budget, you can find the perfect gift to generate a smile immediately and throughout the garden season. Stuff a stocking, pot, or decorative tin with small but essential items that are handy for any gardener. A can of twine that prevents tangling yet keeps it convenient is useful for securing...
Cornwall Island Lacrosse Factory, 1973. Photos submitted by Danny David....
By Doug George-Kanentiio Among our Mohawk people the President of the United States has a title name, one carried across the generations and applied to whomever holds office. It is Ranatakaiius (la-nah-dah-gai-yus) meaning "town destroyer". It came from John Washington, the great-grandfather of the first president who would attack and burn Native communities then declare the land vacant, terra nullius under English law, before applying to the Crown for title. He would then ignore the Indigenous practice of crops diversity and rotation by...
Cornwall Island Lacrosse Factory, 1973. Photos submitted by Danny David....
by Melinda Myers Soil is the foundation of a healthy garden, but let's be honest, most gardeners don't like spending time, energy, and money on it. It's more fun to show off pretty flowers or share tasty vegetables. But creating a healthy soil foundation will increase your growing success which means more beautiful flowers, larger harvests, and a healthier landscape to enjoy. When creating a new lawn, landscape, or garden bed, begin with a soil test. Use soil testing to evaluate your...
by Melinda Myers This winter, brighten your mood and surroundings by planting and growing a few amaryllis. Your thoughts may turn to red when considering this plant but now you can find a variety of colors and flower shapes. Select the color that best suits your mood and indoor décor. Fill your home with these beauties for the holidays. Then keep the blossoms coming all winter long. Plant several different types of amaryllis bulbs, from the southern and northern hemispheres, and you'll get a...
by Melinda Myers You've probably read you should remove and dispose of insect pest-infected and diseased plant material to reduce these problems in next season's garden. This is not as easy as it seems. Most compost piles do not heat up and maintain hot enough temperatures to kill weeds, weed seeds, disease organisms, and insect pests. In many locations burning is not allowed and it negatively impacts air quality. So, what's a gardener to do? Start by calling your local municipality and asking...
By Melinda Myers. It's pumpkin season and time to select and decorate pumpkins for your fall display. Keep pumpkins and Jack-o'-lanterns looking their best longer with proper selection and care. Harvest or purchase pumpkins free of holes, cuts, and soft spots for decorating. Damaged fruit tends to rot faster, ruining your fall display. And always carry the fruit cradled in your arms, not by the stem. Once the stem breaks away from the fruit, the pumpkin is more susceptible to rot and its beauty...
by Melinda Myers Grow, harvest and season your holiday meals with fresh herbs grown indoors in a windowsill garden. Add to the experience by using potted herbs and a few holiday adornments to dress up the table. You and your family will enjoy snipping a few fresh herbal sprigs to season your meal to your own taste. Include herbs your family likes, those that complement your menu and are easy to grow indoors like basil, oregano, parsley, chives, thyme, and sage. Purchase plants so they will be...
by Melinda Myers Put fall leaves to work in your landscape. This valuable resource makes a great mulch in planting beds, adds organic matter and nutrients to the soil, provides habitat for many beneficial insects, and is insulation for ground-dwelling queen bumblebees, toads, and more. Leave any disease-free leaves in garden beds but pull them away from the trunks of trees and stems of shrubs. Mulch piles against trunks or stems create a moist environment that is more subject to rot and...
Residents of New England and southeastern Canada are dismayed by this year’s drab fall color display, an unfortunate result of funding cuts at USDA’s Plant-Pigmentation Program. Or at least I assume that’s what happened. Actually, it’s largely due to the abnormally wet season we’ve had. Frequent rains kept foliage damp for long periods, which set the stage for normally weak, opportunistic fungal pathogens to cop an attitude, and set up housekeeping inside leaves. High temperatures and humidity helped speed things along. Anthracnose sounds di...
by Melinda Myers More and more gardeners are adding native plants to their landscapes. These plants provide more than beautiful flowers for us to enjoy. They also support pollinators and other beneficial insects, and provide food and shelter for songbirds, toads, and other wildlife. In addition, these plants help protect and improve our soil and manage stormwater. The plants slow stormwater runoff and help direct it into the soil through pathways created by their deep roots to the groundwater...
by Melinda Myers Welcome spring and create continuous color for several months with a collection of spring-flowering bulbs. After planting in the fall, you'll enjoy an array of flower colors that combine nicely with other spring-flowering trees, shrubs, and flowers. Start the season with early blooming snowdrops. As winter fades watch for the dangling white flowers on six- to ten-inch-tall plants. Include these small flowers in rock gardens, mixed borders, and informal landscapes in sunny and...
When I was younger, an old-time arborist I knew used to say “The best time to prune trees is when the tools are sharp.” This guy was beset with shoulder injuries and knee problems because he also believed “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Sadly, both of these old saws are dangerous lies. Although tree-care companies have year-round expenses and need income in all seasons, a truly professional arborist knows there are two times of the year when pruning should be avoided. Late spring between bud-break and full leaf-out is one period...
More than 6 million Americans receive earned benefits for military service - including disability compensation, education benefits, caregiver assistance, burial benefits and more. It is critical for spouses and caregivers to know how veterans’ benefits are accessed and what could happen when or if a veteran dies. Consider this scenario. A veteran has not told his spouse much about his veteran’s benefits. The veteran dies suddenly. His spouse grieves and plans a funeral, which she pays for out of pocket. The $2,500 tax-free payment from the VA f...
By Melinda Myers. It creeps along the ground covering the soil surface with its leaves. Then it climbs any stem, plant or upright structure it contacts by winding its twining stems around and over its victim. The culprit is field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) and as you may have discovered it is one of the most persistent and difficult weeds to control. It is native to Eurasia but is now found throughout the world and is believed to have arrived here on contaminated farm and garden seeds....
From Our Entire Family: As we come together to remember and honor the life of our Brother Brian, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks for the outpouring of support we’ve received. Your presence at the service, kind messages, donations, and willingness to lend a helping hand have touched our hearts in ways words cannot convey. Your thoughtfulness has given us strength and unity during this time of sorrow. Brian was a friend to many people, and he was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone. His visits will surely be missed by all. H...
by Melinda Myers There never seems to be enough room for all the plants you want to grow. If space allows, create new garden beds to expand your planting space and increase the beauty of your landscape. Start by evaluating your current landscape design and plantings. Perhaps, expanding an existing garden bed or connecting two smaller beds is a better option than creating a whole new garden. No matter the option selected, start by laying out the planned expansion or new bed. Always start by...
Ohiarihko:wa/July 26, 2024 Dear Akwesasne Community, It has now officially been determined that the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (MCA) 2024 General Election results have been set aside, and a new election will be held. The details and dates will be forthcoming but for now, I am sharing what we have learned through the appeals process and multiple internal reviews. First, as the Executive Director (ED) of the MCA, I am extending my deepest apologies on behalf of our organization for the confusion and short...
By Doug George-Kanentiio The Native North American Travelling College is celebrating its 50th year as a formal entity. It has long served the Akwesasne community by sponsoring many artists and teachers over the past five decades while giving visitors and students from the northeast insights into the culture and history of Indigenous peoples. In the spring of 1974, the founder of what was then the North American Indian Travelling College, the late Ernie Benedict, passed on the duties of directing the College to his daughter Salli Benedict, a stu...
