Mark Narsisian: A True Onkwehonwe

by Doug George-Kanentiio

I have had the honour of knowing Mark Nikanawaa Narsisian since 1984 when he took a chance and hired me as an editor of Indian Time. My initial impression was one of amazement that a man could laugh as deeply and with as much genuine happiness as Mark. He carried a great, enveloping light around him, making the demanding, arduous and all consuming task of producing a newspaper much easier. Going to work for Mark was easy since he cared about his employees and welcomed everyone with that magnificent smile.

My tenure at IT lasted only six months but when I sought the job as editor of Akwesasne Notes in December, 1985 Mark was there to lend his support. We worked side by side for the next few years, his desk was across from mine. He was patient when I missed important phone calls,took too long on an article or risked not making our publication deadlines. He was a fiscal wizard, keeping both Notes and Indian Time afloat when we could have easily been submerged in debt. He took a powerful stand for our commitment to maintaining a free and open press even as we were boycotted and firebombed. He never used his position to sway a story or prevent its publication as long as it was truthful, balanced and free of malice. Because of him, we sustained the most important means of free expression for our community.

Mark’s other contributions to Akwesasne are historical. Hundreds of Mohawks have benefited from his work on the Housing Board. He provided shelter to those in need by helping to secure grants which enabled desperately needed homes for those on limited incomes. He gave his time to the Onake Corporation to insure our culture remained strong and vibrant. He gave generously to the Mohawk Nation as a longhouse person. He was humble and never sought public acclaim or honours but deserved our collective gratitude. When we are told of the way in which we are to live: to be generous, compassionate, kind and grateful, Mark is that ideal, our inspiration, our hero.

At the height of our work we had a couple of dozen employees at Akwesasne Notes-Indian Time. Through Mark’s efforts we had a profitable mail order business which gave an income to many Mohawk artists and craftspeople. We published calendars, books and posters. We had correspondents and contributors around the continent and across the globe. Akwesasne Notes was picking up steam and Indian Time was digging its roots deep into the community. Although the Notes building was cramped and overflowing with people it was a center of creativity. Everyone who visited was met with Mark’s warm words of greeting and every birthday was to be celebrated. Our work was truly enjoyable and we did not hesitate when called upon to put in those long hours before publication far beyond what we were paid for. We did this, all of us, because of Nikanawaa, our leader.

Then came the fire of December, 1987 when our offices were set ablaze. We lost all of our equipment, our inventory, our sense of security. Mark had the task of laying off most of the employees but with borrowed materials we pressed ahead. We used a small room on Kahwenoke to produce a couple of editions of Notes and the weekly IT but it was very hard. I sat with Mark over many long winter nights, trying to keep our spirits up, knowing that if we quit Akwesasne would lose one of its most important voices in a time of great turmoil. I expressed to Mark my own personal doubts, that I had caused this mess for pressing too hard, for being too aggressive on the gambling and tobacco issues which in turn provoked the arson. I thought I had become a liability but Mark did not waver, he told me to carry on and once again gave me his unconditional support. We all want to know that our time on this earth is meaningful and we used our abilities and the gift of life to make a difference. Mark is on his soul’s journey knowing that he has accomplished great things and has done so with dignity.

This is how I knew him. He had a profound effect on my life. He was equally as influential with many others. Our sadness is tempered because we had the great fortune of knowing him and working alongside him. He was our mentor, our friend and a wonderful man.