National Native American Heritage Month 2011

“From the Aleutian Islands to the Florida Everglades, American Indians and Alaska Natives have contributed immensely to our country’s heritage. During National Native American Heritage Month, we commemorate their enduring achievements and reaffirm the vital role American Indians and Alaska Natives play in enriching the character of our Nation.” – A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

The Akwesasne Museum initiated a program several years ago called Gathering Knowledge where Museum staff work with Junior Curators to develop their own exhibit. This second exhibit focuses on the topic of, “Tewa’ara:ton Iakwa’tswa:tha” or “Lacrosse We Play It.” On one of the closing panels the Junior Curators state that the purpose of this exhibit has been to share a portion of what the community of Akwesasne means to these youth.

This exhibit was funded by a Native American/Native Hawaiian grant of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Through this grant staff were able to work with the Junior Curators over the course of two years to develop this exhibit.

“It started off as a short term project,” said Sue Ellen Herne the Program Coordinator of the Akwesasne Museum. “They learn about how to create the exhibits starting with choosing the content and the whole process of putting it together and deciding what the best way would be to get their ideas across.”

The Tewa’ara:ton Iakwa’tswa:tha exhibit focuses on the cultural meaning of the game and how it relates to the Haudenosaunee. There is information about the traditional elements of the game and interesting historical facts. The Junior Curators who participated in this specific project each brought a different knowledge base to the group in developing the content of this specific exhibit.

For example in one section of the exhibit there is information talking about the reasons why girls aren’t supposed to be playing lacrosse. Part of the teaching of this custom that ‘girls don’t touch wooden lacrosse sticks,’ is that boys are given the discipline of keeping their stick away from girls and women; reminding them that they should not hit a girl or a woman. In another section the exhibit explains to the audience that wellness comes from Tewa’ara:ton, and that is why it is called the creators game.

“This program is good for us as adults because we get to see things through the eyes of the youth,” said Herne. “The youth learn more information about the topic and how to create an exhibit for themselves so we are both giving back to each other.”

The Tewa’ara:ton Iakwa’tswa:tha exhibit is in the final stages of completion and will have the final component of an interactive computer setup by Thanksgiving. To date it has traveled to the Onondaga Nation School, Seaway Trail Discovery Center and was setup at the A’nowara’ko:wa Arena during the Presidents Cup this year. Parks Canada has already shown interest in setting up both that exhibit and the first one created that was titled, “We Are Akwesasne,” and are making arrangements to show them in 2013.

“We hope to start another project in another couple of years,” said Herne.

Junior Curators of this project include: Iakotahitakhe, Ieianerastha, Jheri, Morgan, Morris, Rohonwa’kiehrha, Savannah, Tehonwenniserathe, Teouatuanalli and Tlakanaqui. The Gathering Knowledge project thanks all of the parents for their help and support and also to: ATALM, Shakowennahawe, Kerdy Mitcho, Dave White, Linda Norris, Ronio David, Rick Hill, John Thomas, Kerry Mitchell, Carl Cook, Paul Angus, Peggy Pyke-Thompson, Bokland Custom Design, AGAM, Tyler at Office Max, Denise Waterman, Alfie Jacques, Jeremy Thompson, Sid Smith, Onondaga Arena, Onondaga Nation School and Akwesasne Cultural Center Staff.

This exhibit is currently on display at the Akwesasne Museum.