Barbara A. Barnes

AKWESASNE – Ms. Barbara A. Barnes, “Kawehnehe”, age 65, of 1425 Island Road, Cornwall Island, peacefully passed away early Sunday morning, July 1, 2012 at the Ottawa Heart Institute, where she had been a patient for the past 2 ½ weeks.

Kawehnehe was born November 10, 1946 in Akwesasne, the daughter of the late Antoine H. “Tony” and Ann Cook Barnes. She first attended St. Regis Mohawk School before graduating from Salmon River Central School. She then attended D’Youville College in Buffalo earning her Bachelor’s Degree before achieving her Master’s Degree from St. Lawrence University.

Barbara worked in education for most of her working career. First she worked at Salmon River in the Title IV Program before becoming the Director of the Native North American Traveling College. She also was a teacher at Iohahi:io and worked at the Indian Time Newspaper for a short time. In addition, she was the Secretary for the Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs and a Bear Clan. She sat on the Ahkwesahsne Mohawk Board of Education and was very active as a board member of the Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse Team. She enjoyed traveling with the team to many fields including, Japan, Australia, United Kingdom, and was preparing them for their trip to Finland. Barb truly loved lacrosse and supported programs for all ages of playing. She will be greatly missed for her fantastic skill of organizing and fundraising.

Kawehnehe is survived by her four sisters, Carolyn White, Elaine Castor, Leona Barnes, and Marjorie Skidders, all of Akwesasne; her four brothers, James and Robin, Floyd “Beaver”, Brian and Amie Barnes, all of Akwesasne, and Tony Jr. and Vicky Barnes, of Las Vegas, NV; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, and a niece, Katsitsientha Barnes on August 18, 2009.

Friends called at the home of her brother and sister-in-law, James and Robin Barnes, 69 Tony Barnes Road, Racquette Point, beginning Tues. July 3rd until a funeral service held on Thursday, July 5, 2012 at the Mohawk Nation Longhouse.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing may consider the Let’s Get Healthy Program at the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe.

Arrangements are with the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena, where condolences may be made online at http://www.donaldsonfh.com.