A Voice from the Eastern Door

Program Spotlight: Ononhkwa on:we – Traditional Medicine Program

Located on the bottom level at Kanonhkwa’tsheri:io, the Ononhkwa on:we Program is providing traditional medicine and healing services to residents of Akwesasne. Ononhkwa on:we means the original way in Kanienkeha. There are many services that they provide, and it all starts with identifying what ails you. Sometimes it may be physical illness, sometimes it may be emotional, but the key is to identify that you aren’t feeling well and to make an appointment. First you would call Tina and set up an appointment. Once you go in, Alicia Cook gives you an assessment, and determines the medical component of your treatment. Following your assessment, Della Adams does the medicine wheel teachings, which addresses the spiritual and emotional component. The program aims to deal with the entire person–spiritual, emotional, and physical–and bring about healing from all avenues.

Once assessed, it can be determined if you need healing, you need to see a seer, or you may just need medicine to address your ailment. Eddie Gray works with the medicines, which are given to address the complaints you have and what your assessment uncovered. There are several seers who visit Akwesasne regularly. If a seer determines you need a dead feast, Eddie also steps in to address this. A seer may identify a hatoii society that you may need to become acquainted with. Darrell Thompson does the hatoii teachings as well as other traditional teachings. Harry Thompson deals with Addiction, Loss, and Grieving.

Harry and Della work to address issues that arise when we suppress and hold our emotions in, over a 10-week program, using the medicine wheel as a guide for healing the body and mind. Dealing with grief and loss are paramount in their work, as often these are a source of trauma for people, many who are unaware of the role it plays in their current circumstances. Graduates of the program are invited to a talking circle every Wednesday about 60 to 90 minutes to talk about what they feel they need to.

In addition to all of the services mentioned, Della runs a prenatal clinic, and Eddie takes people on medicine walks – where they can learn about medicines, and photograph or write about it.

The services are free, and they don’t require a Health Card.

 

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