Akwesasne Winter Carnival

Valentine's Day evening was snowy and frigid but the runway in the St. Regis Mohawk School gym was heating up with the Lacrosse My Heart Fashion Show. This family fun event was part of the 24th Annual Akwesasne Winter Carnival and a fundraiser for the Salmon River Varsity Girls' Lacrosse Team. There was also a silent auction and a roast beef dinner with proceeds going to the team. Local vendors were on site selling treats and beautiful handmade beaded jewelry, dream catchers, moccasins and much more. Admission cost was $5.00. Buck Cook emceed the show and kept the show moving as well as provided comedic relief between runway walks.

The fashion show showcased local designers and their creations. Some clothing could be bought on site or clothing can be custom designed to fit the personality and tastes of the buyer. Local designers that took part in the show were Terry Cree, Dee Dee Back, Rosebud Cook, Sandy Jackson, Marlana Thompson, Dyan Swamp, Niio Perkins and Gerry Shenandoah. There was also a newcomer to the fashion scene, high school senior Mya Tarbell. Mya debut her toddler and child fashions and plans on attending fashion school in the fall.

All the models were from Akwesasne with many of them from the Salmon River Varsity Girls' Lacrosse team. Some models were future lacrosse players and some can't even walk yet. The mothers of the SRCS lacrosse girls were in charge of the Fashion Show. Tisha Thompson got the ball rolling and Amy Lazore, Janelle Thompson, Carrie Smoke and Floanne Benedict took over from there. It was a full team and parent event.

The staff at Beautylicious; Laurie Gardner, Lauren Cree, Tisha Thompson, Jenny Conners and Rena Smoke, provided the makeup and hair design for the models.

Another nice touch was the opportunity to see the young talent that abounds in Akwesasne. The audience was treated to a brother and sister duet by Brandon and Seana Gambill. They also sang solos that really showed their beautiful, strong, melodic voices. The Akwesasne Hoop Dancers delighted the audience and Raylynn Sunday added much beauty and poise with her Hoop Dance routine. Faryn King is an incredible Shawl dancer and her students did an excellent shawl dance. All the outfits and shawls were stunning.

It's always nice to get together and see the talent that is all around us in our community and to be able to help youth in the process. The Akwesasne Attack parents and the community have done a wonderful job helping to fund the SRCS Girls Varsity Lacrosse Team for the past four years.