2nd Annual Akwesasne Wolf Belt Commemoration Day

The 2nd annual Wolf Belt Commemoration Day was held on Wednesday October 3, 2012. To commemorate this date, a Wampum Discussion Group was held at the Akwesasne Library Museum which houses the Wolf Belt. The Wolf Belt was constructed around 200 hundred years ago to commemorate a time when unity was needed to overcome the pressure of colonization. The resilience of the Mohawk people is evident in our ability to survive over the past few centuries. When we look back on our history we can appreciate the accomplishments of our ancestors as well as the hardships they faced to maintain who we are today. We can still identify ourselves as a unique people because our Mohawk language is intact. In reflection to the past two hundred years when the Wolf Belt was made, a unity was created so that our present generation can realize our ancestors were thinking of us as future generations.

The meeting was opened with a tour of the museum including the Wolf Belt Room. A discussion was held and a center topic was how we can learn from the belts, finding the truth and identifying the truth of our own and not necessarily the accepted version of truth surrounding the belts.

The discussion led to the idea that our youth are ready to learn and they are not afraid to speak their mind. They are inquisitive and determined in finding their way. As well, our youth want more; more access to language classes, ways to the Longhouse, and our arts as Akwesasne people.

Questions were raised during the discussion like, “who are our leaders, and who can we learn from?” Many names were identified as our teachers and many felt this was a “renewal rather than a preservation of our knowledge and way of life.”

The next meeting will be held on November 7, from 6 to 8 pm. All are welcome to attend. This discussion group will be held at the Akwesasne Library Museum.