Grassroots Effort Aims to Revive Community Death Benefits

In an age of increasing uncertainty, one can count on death entering their lives at some point as surely as anything else. Even though we know it is there, and likely will befall someone we know at some point, often we are still caught off guard by a loved one’s passing. Even more often, the financial burden is the unexpected part of death, and funeral expenses seem to be only climbing. To help with this burden, community members aim to reinstate the Akwesasne Community Death Benefit.

Emmy Mitchell explained that origins go back to the 1950’s. Elders saw the need to help with the cost of a wake, and started what is called Sawatis Raokionkwa, the Death Benefits Committee. In those days the contribution was 50 cents and over time that grew to a dollar. As time passed, so did the elders who were involved with the Sawatis Raokionkwa, eventually leading up to the committee not having anyone to keep it going.

Interest was renewed a few years ago, and in 2009 efforts began to revive the committee. After a series of meetings, it seems community interest is there and the time is right to begin to get what are now called the Akwesasne Community Death Benefits, working for the community.

Registration to join will be $10 and will entitle you access to the services they provide. When a death occurs, you will pay $5 to help the families of those who’ve lost loved ones, with money collected going right to the family. Think of it as insurance against the burden of a funeral and wake.

Registration will be held Friday, July 19, and Saturday, July 20, from 9am to 4pm at the Snye Homemakers. On Wednesday, July 24, and 31 from 5pm to 8pm, there will also be registration and additional registration dates are coming, but times and locations are to be announced.

Be sure to head on down to the Snye Homemakers this Friday and Saturday to sign up for the Akwesasne Death Benefits and help this initiative to help the community get off the ground.