Iakhihsohtha Home for the Elderly celebrates 20th anniversary

For twenty years, elders in Akwesasne have had a place in Tsi Snaihne (Snye) to call home when they’ve no longer been able to live on their own. The Iakhihsohtha Home for the Elderly celebrated their 20th anniversary Friday with a formal ceremony attended by many community members.

“The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne is proud of the fact that we are able to care for our elders in our own community,” said Iakhihsohtha Program Manager Patti Adiaconitei. “(We’ve supported) 200 community members over the years in a matter consistent with their beliefs and culture.”

The residential home provides a full program of care and services to the elders who need it. The residents’ medical, dietary, recreational, and environmental needs are the focus of the staff and volunteers who have made Iakhihsohtha a part of their lives as well.

Three elders were honored during the celebration ceremony for being original residents of the home. Although restructuring of Akwesasne’s two homes for the elders (Tsiionkwanonsohte Chronic Care Facility is located on Cornwall Island) meant that those three elders were moved recently, they have still been a part of the Iakhihsohtha family for 20 years and they were given special recognition for it. They were Laura Conners, Joseph Benedict and Annie David.

Helen Jones, a nursing employee at Iakhihsohtha, was also honored during the event for being the longest-serving employee with 19 years.

“The joke is that she came in with the sheetrock,” said Maureen Benedict, Activities Director.

The residents presented Jones with a special gift.

Tours were given to any guests who wished to see the facility and all the changes it’s gone through in twenty years. Community members hope to see the home be even better in twenty more years.