Haudenosaunee News

• The Haudenosaunee Peace and Trade Committee will be meeting on Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at the Onondaga cookhouse. Two items to be addressed are the tax on cigarettes and latest news on the court cases affecting the Haudenosaunee Nations.

• The Akwesasne Freedom School will be the site for their Annual Dinner and Quilt Auction scheduled for August 27th and 28th. On Saturday, August 27th, the Survival Race will take place, a chicken barbeque, talent show and music by a local band. Also the two-day Silent Auction will start.

The Survival Race includes five events: canoeing (6 miles), swimming (1/2 mile), biking (10 miles), running (with weighted pack; women 40 lbs/men 80 lbs) and just running (6 miles). You can register your team by calling the Freedom School (358-2073).

On Sunday, August 28th the day starts with a Steak and Cornbread lunch/dinner at 11:00 o’clock, then comes the closing of the big Quilt Auction with Don Burnstick as the emcee.

There will be men’s doubles volleyball tournament and music provided by a local band.

In the evening Don Burnstick will be performing at a yet to be confirmed site. Don Burnstick is a native comedian performer. There will be an admission price, but the show will be well worth the price. Don Burnstick puts on a great show.

• The Haudenosaunee leadership will be meeting with the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation on August 17, 2011 at the Onondaga Longhouse.

The Agenda includes three items pertaining to hydrofracking:

1. Protection of Onondaga Water shed

2. Archeological Protection of sacred sites and Burials

3. Protection of treaty rights for mineral rights

The meeting starts at one o’clock (1:00pm). Each Haudenosaunee Nation will be sending several delegates. These are important items to be discussed and warrants continued meetings to come to a resolution(s) that will address Haudenosaunee concerns.

• The Haudenosaunee Tuscarora Nation will be opening a newly constructed building on Friday, August 26th. The building is located across from the Tuscarora Elementary School.

The new facility will be the home of the medical clinic, outreach home workers, a community room with kitchen facilities (holds up to 200 people), a library, environmental and a nation office.

The event will start with a tobacco burning in the morning and the grand opening activities start at 1:00pm. The afternoon will end with a meal and a social.

This new facility will be beneficial to the whole community of Tuscarora. The funds for the center were available by the Tuscarora Council through the funds received for the relicensing of the Power Authority.