A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
Twenty-five years recognition. Back L-R: Wesley Benedict, Kerry Mitchell and Kennedy Garrow. Front: Mae Leaf, Kim Loran, April White, Maryann Jacobs and Lewis Morris
Esther David for 30 years of Service with Home Support. At left is April White.
District Chief Florence Philips addressing the crowd.
Mary King, center, accepts for Jonathan Caldwell for 35 years of service with the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service. At left is Jerry Swamp A.M.P.S. Chief and MCA Administrator Sheree Bonaparte.
Ten years of service. Back L-R: David Thompson, Pam Brown, Lee Ann O'Brien and Peter Lafrance. Front: Patti Adiaconitei, Evelyn Brunet, Leanne Thomas, Shaelene Gibson and Thomas Debo. Missing: Nicholas Lamesse, Esther Square, Sharon Mitchell-Ransom, Ranatiiostha Swamp, Evelyn Brunet, Richard "TJ" Point, and Dawn Skidders.
Fifteen years of service. Back L-R: Norman King and Thomas Philips. Seated: Rosemarie Square. Missing are Daniel Bruyere, Vladi Kovinich, Clayton Barnes, Alison Henderson, Delores Oakes, Christine Francis, Ivan Thompson, Nola Benedict, Brandon David and Melissa Thompson.
Twenty years of service. Back: Rena Smoke. Seated L-R: Tracey David, Eileen Montour, Robin Barnes and Mary King. Missing: Tess Benedict, Sheila Oakes, Arlene David, Patti Ransom, John Lazore, Coleen Thompson, Philip Swamp, Timothy Sunday and Elaine Thompson.
Retiree Lewis Morris with family. L-R: Rosalie Morris (with Roman), Lewis, Russell Morris and Rolland Lewis. Other retirees missing are Leann Jock, Debbie Mayer, Martha Mitchell and William Lafrance Jr.
People who put in many years of service to Mohawk Council were recognized for that committment last week. There were also a few that had ended their service to council to retire and they were honored as well.
The Snye Recreation center hosted the event Friday, May 29 and their recreation committee was also thanked for setting up the event according to Master of Ceremonies Vaughn Philips.
"They are the ones put up with us for at least a month, it may seem like we have it all together when you get here but there is a lot of chaos that goes on behind the scenes, trying to confirm everything, making sure everything goes right, it comes together in the end and that is what it's all about," said Philips.
Sheree Bonaparte, Executive Director, said she was feeling the effects of a marathon general meeting the night before. That meeting was productive and the people of the community showed their best in voicing their concerns. That community spirit and respect was shared with the people who were being honored at the Long Term ceremonies.
"It was one of the best meetings I ever went to. The people that were there were bringing honest concerns about functions and issues of what is going on with Council. They had respect for each other during that meeting," said Bonaparte.
"I have a lot of respect for the people that work for us, that we put up with things that the community has to say to us. We try to be as respectful as we can, a lot of times we have to hold our own opinions back and try to show respect to the community," she said.
She thanked all the employees for all the work that they do no matter how long they are being recognized for.
The department heads passed out the certificates to their workers along with Wal-Mart gift cards and Sweetgrass baskets to the more senior employees.
Chief Florence Philips spoke at the gathering and said because society has changed and sped up over the years, the work by MCA has also had to change and she commended the honored guests for their hard work.
"In order to keep up with this pace and keep with our levels of service, you had to work hard and we rely on you so much to do that," said Chief Philips.
She said that professionalism gets around and in her travels as Chief she said people notice it.
She said when people find out she is from Akwesasne she expects some negative comments but instead gets surprised.
"You guys are really ahead and you have it together," she said.
That reputation comes in part from the employees no matter how long they worked.
"You work for your people, you work for your families, you work for Akwesasne. There may be some difficulties here and there, but we have to work together," said Bonaparte.
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