Akwesasne Celebrates the 90th Birthday of Esteemed Elder Ernest Kaientaronkwen Benedict

Akwesasne Celebrated the 90th Birthday of Esteemed Elder Ernest Kainetaronkwen Benedict Akwesasne (Sunday July 13, 2008) -It rained, most of the day at Akwesasne.

But rain could not dampen the good wishes that poured from the hearts of so many people in honour of Ernie Benedict.

The Native North American Indian Travelling College at the Ronnathahonni Cultural Center was the venue for the 90th Birthday part of Ernest Kaientaronkwen Benedict. Ernest was the founder of the Travelling College in 1968. Mike Mitchell is now its director and its dedicated employees put on the greatest birthday celebration ever, together with their annual Friendship day event.

The celebration was also a tribute to Ernest’s esteemed teacher Ray Tehanetorens Fadden, who is responsible for inspiring young Haudenosaunee youth to preserve and present their culture and who founded the Six Nations Iroquois Museum in Onchiota NY, which is the grand-daddy of all Iroquois Museums. In honour of both of these men, a story dance known as the Hunter Deer Dance, was performed by two of Akwesasne’s youth. It was a wonderful tribute.

In honour of both of these men, Joanne Shenandoah, her sister Dianne and daughter Leah performed a song written by Joanne as a tribute to both Kaientaronkwen (Benedict) and Tehanetorens (Fadden). The song was hauntingly beautiful and was composed on an Island in Akwesasne, along the waters of the St. Lawrence with the beautiful blue Adirondacks as the backdrop.

Chicken, perch, corn soup and fried bread fuelled the stomach’s of the guests who travelled from far and wide. Everett Lazore of Big E’s brought his finest and it was a meal to be remembered. A beautiful portrait cake with beautiful flowers and a beautiful banner adorned the table with a portrait of Ernest on the top. Ernie’s friends and family came from California, Lowville NY, Seneca Territory, Oneida Territory, Ojibway Territory at Wikwimikong, Ottawa, Cornwall, Massena, Port Hope, Toronto, Ohsweken, Caledonia, Valleyfield, Vancouver, Montreal, Kahnawake, Albany, Saratoga, and Akwesasne.

The Friendship day continued with local bands, displays and vendors until the end of the afternoon. Elders, young people, sisters, friends, cousins, nieces, nephews, children, grand children, great grand children all enjoyed the day. Ernest’s great-grandson Tsiowehren who celebrates his tenth birthday only two days after Ernest’s, was there to celebrate with his Totaman. They are 80 years apart in age.

Indian Time Newspaper kicked off the celebration of Ernie’s ninetieth year with a special Indian Time issue in his honour, collecting tributes from many people that have been touched by this respected Elder. Ernest was surprised and honoured by this tribute and since then cards and letters had been coming in from old friends and acquaintances, even his old friend environmentalist David Suzuki.

Ernest Kanientaronkwen Benedict said, “I wish to thank everyone who brought me good wishes. So many of you…in so many ways.”

Special Thanks to those who submitted dedications in the Indian Time newspaper

The Native North American Travelling College and the Ronnathahonni Cultural Center

Indian Time Newspaper

Trent University

Mohawk Council of Akwesasne

St. Regis Mohawk Tribe

Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs

Eastern Ontario Model Forest

Akwesasne Mohawk Board of Education

Akwesasne Library and Cultural Center

Mohawk Vision

Akwesasne Mohawk Casino

Akwesasne International Powwow Committee

Park’s Canada

Kanatsiohareke

First Nations Technical Institute (FNTI)

Dr. Gerald Taiaiake Alfred

Hammils General Store

The Eli Tarbell Family, Bears Den Trading Post and Tarbell Management Group

Assembly of First Nations of Quebec (AFNQL)

Joan Holmes and Associates Inc.

The Ndakina Education Center

Six Nations Museum

St. Lawrence River Institute

Jim Huntin & Staff at Jp2g Consultants Inc.

Tsiionhiakwatha Droulers Stie

Micha J. Menczer

Hutchins Caron & Associes

The Iroquois Indian Museum

Cornwall Toyota

Akwesasne Freedom School

Akwesasne Area Management Board

Mohawk Nation Council

Bank of Montreal (Peace Tree Trade Center)

The Andrew W. Cook, Post 1479 American Legion

Indian Claims Commission

97.3 CKON Radio

Ernest would like to acknowledge and give thanks to all the people who send cards, notes and special gifts, which had special meaning and supported his various charities and special interests.

Some words were sent to the event to be read in his honour:

Dan and Mary Lou Smoke His longevity is inspiring. I remember just a decade ago, when he was dancing during the Haudenosaunee Social Dances at the Traditional Awareness Gathering in Toronto. He is a member of the Taam Kaadinakijiik Elders Advisory Circle of the Native Canadian Center of Toronto. Taam Kaadinakiijiik means “The Original Inhabitants”.

Bruce Johansen I am sending a brief note of appreciation to Ernie Benedict on his 90th birthday, from Omaha, to him and all my friends at Akwesasne. I first sampled the fruits of Ernie’s labor in the late 1960s as an undergraduate student at the University of Washington in Seattle, where I began to read Akwesasne Notes. The paper opened my eyes, and played a very important part in shaping the direction of my writing (and my life) for decades. In its pages I was introduced to environmental issues affecting Native people that have informed my work since. Also, I came to know the traditions of the Haudenosaunee, the people’s history and government, that became part of my work in Forgotten Founders. I can only imagine the number of lives Ernie has shaped around the world, since I am only one of perhaps thousands. How trilled I was to meet him and learn that Akwesasne Notes was born around his kitchen table. Congratulations, Ernie, on nine decades of a life that matters to a great many people.

Carl Benn When I use to teach a course in First Nations history, one of the things I had students read was Ernie’s biography that was published a few years ago. He clearly is one of the great treasures of the modern Mohawk world!

Dan Longboat Please give my very best wishes to you father, send him my love and appreciation for his dedication and commitment to make our world a better place to be Onkwehonwe.

Joan Holmes We admire the great contribution you make to a more balanced understanding of the historic relationships between the peoples of the St. Lawrence-Great Lakes region. Best regards, Joan Holmes and Staff

John and Eva Fadden, Six Nations Iroquois Museum

The Six Nations Indian Museum, and the Fadden family of Onchiota, NY offers good wishes to Ernest Benedict as he reaches his ninth decade. He and the museum’s founder, Ray Fadden, go way back, as they say. Over the years they worked together on many, many projects. Among other activities, Ernie and Ray traveled across the northeast with members of the youth organization, Akwesasne Mohawk Counselors, visiting many Haudenosaunee historic sites.

Included within those memorable and educational trips was the visit to the Six Nations Reserve to participate in the first pageant held there to commemorate the epic story of the Peacemaker. We also remember that first print communication at Akwesasne, the War Whoop and the Kawehras, of which Ernie was the driving force and editor. The list of his good works goes on, and on. His influence has rippled across the community, and continues into the future.

His selfless concern has always been for the community, Akwesasne. We wish him a happy birthday.

Jack Frisch I would like you read a passage from the “Ethics of our Fathers”, (The Pirke Avot) from me in honour of your Father’s 90th Birthday.  The Pirke Avot is a collection of sayings from the Talmud (the book of Jewish commentary on the laws found in the Old Testament).  I think that it reflects how I feel about your father.

 “It is said, Who is wise?  He who learns from all humankind.  From all my teachers I have gotten understanding.  Who is mighty? He who subdues his passions; as it is said, He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules over his spirit is stronger than he who takes a city.  Who is rich?  He who rejoices in his lot; as it is said, when you eat the labor of your hands, you are happy, and you shall be well; you are happy--in this world; and you shall be well in the world to come.  Who is worthy of honour?  He who respects humankind; as it is said, for those who honour me I will honour.”