Akwesasronon Record Audio Scape for USA Pavilion

Submitted by Kaweienón:ni (Margaret) Cook

Three people from Akwesasne were chosen to take part in creating the USA Pavilion for the Expo 2015, which is in Milan this year. The theme for the USA Pavilion at Expo Milan 2015 is American Food 2.0: United to Feed the Planet.

Nihahsennà:a Peters, Rakwiráhes Pembleton and Tehokwirathe Barreiro were chosen to record what is called "The Prelude."

Here is a brief description of this installation:

Visitors will enter the pavilion hearing Native American voices greet and thank the elements for the abundance provided by soil, the water, the sun, the knowledge and food traditions over thousands of years.

The second part of the installation features voices of immigrant cultures in today's America. They describe the bounty of this land and the knowledge, hard work, and cooperation needed to bring its produce from the soil and the waters.

• Above the entrance are large images of the Three Sisters and of hands working soil, crop plants, livestock, and fish - bounty with an intimate human presence.

• This sonic and visual introduction sets a tone of respect, harmony, thoughtfulness, and reverence for our country's abundance - shaping an optimistic message of what America offers the wider world.

If you look at the image of the USA Pavilion on the website home page you can see the wide entry ramp. This is where the audio scape will be installed in the pavilion.

Nihahsennà:a Peters, 25, Snipe Clan, is a teacher at the Ahkwesáhsne Freedom School. The two boys are students of Skahwatsí:ra, Rakwiráhes Pembleton, son of Pamela Lazore-Pembleton and Rasennes Pembleton, and Tehokwirathe Barreiro, son of Tsiorasa and Randi Barreiro.

For more info on the Expo visit http://usapavilion2015.net/exhibits