Kawennota'kie Canoe Journey Honor Women in Akwesasne

The Akwesasne Child and Family Services Community and Traditional Support Programs’ Kawennota’kie Canoe Journey recently created the “Outstanding Akwesasne Women Award.” This award is given “In recognition of women role models whose commitment helps strengthen Akwesasne.” This award recognized the strength, wisdom and knowledge in eight Akwesasne women. Most importantly, this award acknowledges the element that is most often overlooked but is expected in every job, every assignment and every project, hard work.

Working within their jobs and going beyond what is required and what is expected is often found in Mohawk women and many feel it is time to recognize this. Community Support worker for ACFS and Canoe Journeys board member, Brandon David, and the Canoe Journeys Committee plan to present Outstanding Akwesasne Women Awards twice a year. Based on his own experience and customs from British Columbia he obtained two canoes. The first canoe is named after a very familiar woman in Akwesasne who worked tirelessly for the people; Alice Ivany “Kawennothakie” who was given the honor of having the first canoe named after her. For the second canoe, the naming didn’t come as easily. David created a Board for the Canoe Journey and soon the Board had a long list of candidates. Narrowing the list down to eight wasn’t easy. Many women in Akwesasne could easily become recipient of the Canoe Journey recognition.

For the first recipients, the Canoe Journey presented our own Hogansburg Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department with recognition awards. David looks forward to recognizing the next group of men or women, looking to our teachers, police officers and so many others who so selfishly give of themselves daily to make Akwesasne a better place to live. Ronkie David gave the Opening Address and eloquently talked about the important role of women in our matriarchal society. David then gave each woman a small log of red cedar. The women held the cedar as they gave their thanks and then offered the cedar to the ceremonial fire. For the last part of the Honoring Women ceremony the recipients of this award paddled down the St. Regis River in one large canoe. The Canoe Journey is symbolic of bringing people together and “moving forward” and at the same time, as they travel down the water, releasing negative energy. Being together in the canoe the women/men have a chance to be close to others who give so much for Akwesasne.

The Kawennota’kie Committee presented the following women with a “Certificate of Honor”;

Louise McDonald, a mother of four children and a grandmother to two children and married to Vince Herne. McDonald is a Bear Clanmother and works for the Akwesasne Cultural Restoration Project as a Master teacher in the Traditional Medicines and Herbs.

Melerena Back – a mother of four children and married to Plum Back. Mel works for the SRMT Alcohol and Chemical Dependency Prevention Program, she is also a driving force on the Akwesasne Coalition for Community Empowerment.

Chelsea Sunday – a single mother of two children. She works for the SRMT Alcohol and Chemical Dependency Prevention Program. In addition to work, Chelsea has returned to school to earn her degree. Chelsea also coaches volleyball for our local youth. Chelsea is active in the Akwesasne Coalition for Community Empowerment.

Nikaiataa Skidders – works for the Akwesasne Boys and Girls Club while actively pursuing her acting and writing career. She is currently working on a Writing Internship in NYC. Skidders is also active in the Akwesasne Coalition for Community Empowerment.

Sheryl Lazare - works for the MCA Emergency Response as an EMT worker. She and her co-workers are the first to arrive at an emergency, be it a vehicle accident or a victim having a heart attack.

Donna Benedict – a mother of two children and a Grandmother also. She is currently on leave as an Addictions Counselor (MCA), but the good work she did is fondly remembered and honored.

Leona Barnes – a mother of two children and grandmother of two. Leona works for MCA Wholistic Health Prevention Program, and she is also an active member of the Akwesasne Coalition for Community Empowerment.

Roxann Whitebean is a writer, actor and producer. She works for APTN. She and her co-workers are currently working on a documentary of her personal journey of a young woman living with cancer.