Akwesasne’s Awesome Rakeni Search Winners

Sponsored by The Akwesasne Child and Family Services

After searching through many heartfelt nomination letters, it was decided that Bailey Thomas’ letter of her dad, Grid Thomas was the winner of the essay contest. She won 18 tickets to the Monster Truck Spectacular in Ottawa.

Second Place was awarded to Tsionatiio Laughing for her letter about her Uncle Brian Barnes, who she believes is just an awesome rakeni to his four children and an awesome uncle to Tsionatiio. $100.00 Home Depot gift certificate was won for Brian!

Third Place was awarded to Rowisonkies Barnes, who at 8 years old believes his rakeni, Jim Barnes is the most awesome. He won fishing equipment for his dad. We hope he takes Rowisonkies with him!

Honorable mention was given to Trish Garrow for her “Best Tota Bub in Akwesasne.”

A classroom also submitted their essays, so the judges chose 3 winners and they were: Deklen Jacobs, Darian Sharrow, and Kieran Thomas-King. They each won $25.00 gift cards from Wal-mart.

Congratulations to all our “Awesome Dads”. You are making a difference in your children’s lives by being a dad that they can count on. We have found that there are so many dads doing the right thing for their families, we congratulate all of you.

Below are the winning essays:

1st Place – Bailey Thomas about her father, Grid Thomas

My dad the best dad in the world because when I’m sad he cheers me up. He buys me close (clothes) everywhere he goes on a vacation. On Friday night’s we watch a movie and have popcorn with salt & vinegar in it, which I love. When I have a hard question on my homework, my dad helps me find out the answer. If I was sick he would get me a hot bowl of soup and I mean HOT BOWL of SOUP, with some milk.

My dad would do whatever he can to make me happy, when I had nightmares when I was younger, I would get really scared and my lights would be out in my room so I would yell “Dad, Dad!” He would come in my room and ask me, “what happened?” I would say I had a nightmare and I would tell him what was in my dream and he would say, “it’s ok little Jones, don’t be afraid, it will all go away when you wake up.” Then I would say, “you promise?” then he would say, “Yes, yes, I promise, now go back to sleep.”

I would help my dad and his girlfriend with work around the house, like cutting the grass, moving the outside furniture out of the rain and trying to ignore the cars going by on Route 37.

My dad taught me how to ride a bike, walk on my feet and skate on the ice in the winter on the frozen St. Lawrence water. When I was starting 4th grade 2008-2009, my dad taught me how to do reminder (it was really easy!), he taught me how to do ELGEBRA!!!

I love my dad and he’ll always love me! That is why my dad is the best dad in the world.

2nd Place – Tsionatiio Barnes-Laughing on her uncle Brian Barnes

My uncle is the most awesome Rakeni and uncle. He is a police officer at the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police, Some years ago my parents had a split up and although he was just my uncle at the time he took time to be the father figure in my life while I didn’t have one. He was there to lean on. He was there for support. He also made time to be our coach at hockey. He was my father and also the father to his own four children.

Not only that about four years ago he and his wife Amie started foster care with an 18-month-old boy. They have given him a lot of love and nurtured him while his own parents couldn’t. He will soon be theirs forever with adoption in the near future. I know that with him staying with my uncle Brian and Amie that he will be loved very much. He will get the loving like he deserves. And trust me he is loved in our family.

Although my uncle is in the police force and sometimes has to miss out on some good and funny moments or special moments in our lives. Like a couple years ago at Salmon in Mohawk class I gave him the award for the “person I most look up to.” On the day I had to read the paper he was called out on a special investigation so he couldn’t’ be there. Boy he missed out on some crying that day.

But you know he makes it up just by being him.

I know with all my heart that his children would all agree with me. They are Kenkiokwine, Tewasherake, Katsitsientah and Tehanerahtaiens.

These are just some of the things that make him the most Awesome Rakeni!

3rd Place – Rowinsonkies Barnes on his father Jim Barnes.

My name is Rowinsonkies Barnes. I’m 8 years old and go to the St. Regis Mohawk School. I’m nominating my Rakeni. His name is Jim Barnes.

Why is my Rakeni so awesome?

1. He takes me to school sometimes

2. He takes me to my lacrosse games

3. He takes me to my hockey games

4. He cheers for me when I play field lacrosse

5. He cooks for me

6. He helps my mom clean up

7. He coaches my lacrosse and hockey

8. He takes me to my grandpa’s house

9. He teaches me how to clean fish

10. He takes me hunting

11. He takes care of me

12. He teaches me how to pass and catch with my lacrosse stick

13. He teaches me math

14. We watch hockey together

15. He took me to watch Montreal Canadians vs. Atlanta Thrashers

My Rakeni always tells me:

1. To clean my room

2. To give my little sister juice

3. To eat healthy

I would describe my Rakeni by:

1. He has blackish hair

2. He has brownish eyes

3. He has “little footprints” tattoo of my baby brother

4. He always wears a hat

My Rakeni’s favorite food is:

1. Chicken and bacon subs from Jreck’s and Subway

2. Pizza and chicken wings from Italian Affair

My Rakeni’s favorite number is:

44 – He has a big ring with the number on it. He won the National Championship for lacrosse.

My Rakeni went to:

Salmon River

Herkimer College

Salisbury University

St. Lawrence University

My Rakeni is the best teacher and coach because:

1. He coaches at Salmon for the soccer, hockey and lacrosse teams

2. He teaches gym

My Rakeni is so awesome because he likes to watch hockey and take me fishing!