Akwesasne Tourism Strategic Action Plan Presentation

On Tuesday, July 19, 2016 the Akwesasne Tourism Working Group (ATWG) held a public presentation at the Akwesasne Housing Authority Training Center. The presentation addressed the Akwesasne Tourism Strategic Action Plan (ATSAP), a plan developed to address the unique challenges and opportunities to promote tourism in the Territory of Akwesasne.

ATWG is comprised of representatives from a number of community organizations located throughout Akwesasne, including: Native North American Traveling College, Akwesasne Cultural Center and Museum, Onkwehon:we Arts Council, Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, and the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe. Eight years of planning has led to the development of the ATSAP, said Christopher Thompson, Director of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Office of Economic Development.

Phase One of the community development plan focuses primarily on the initial planning and efforts completed by the community through March 2015. ATWG is currently in phase two of development. Phase Two, also known as Strengthening Within, emphasizes community engagement and dialogue, support, planning and training to develop a successful tourism industry for Akwesasne. ATWG wants community members to provide input and guidance on the ATSAP. The open 30-day comment period ends at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, August 1, 2016. With the completion of phase two, ATWG will then focus on expanding the reach and impact of the ATSAP to regional and world markets. These subsequent phases are set to take place between 2018-2021 and beyond.

The ATSAP focuses on developing three primary cultural tourism attractions in Akwesasne: the Akwesasne Heritage Complex (New York), the Native North American Travelling College (Ontario) and the St. Regis Catholic Church (Quebec). Emphasis is also be placed on the development of parks, trails, ecotourism and adventure tourism in Akwesasne. Thompson Island Cultural Camp is currently the best example of ecotourism in Akwesasne.

The Beautify Akwesasne Pilot Project is another activity currently being undertaken by ATWG during phase two of development. Beautify Akwesasne aims to improve the aesthetic and visual appearance of the community, as a way to encourage tourism in Akwesasne. Homeowners and businesses located along high-traffic thoroughfares of Akwesasne; Cornwall Island Bridge corridor, State Route 37 and Saint Regis Road recently submitted applications for property improvement projects and maintenance. The Akwesasne Area Management Board will be providing jobs to at least 5- 10 laborers for the 2016 pilot project. Homeowners and businesses approved for the project only need to supply the materials for their desired improvement and maintenance projects and the cost is free. Services include: basic litter cleanup and removal, basic landscaping, planting shrubs and flowers, painting fences, building front improvements, business signage and graffiti removal. Signs along the traffic thoroughfares will highlight the work completed as part of the pilot project. The project will run July through the end of November 2016.

“It’s more of a mindset and campaign; realistically, Beautify Akwesasne is a four to five year effort,” said Beatrice Johnson, Akwesasne Area Management Board.

In mid-August the group will hold a fundraising campaign providing elders and the disadvantaged with an opportunity to obtain materials for projects. Organizers will also be collecting extra tools and landscaping materials for this specialized group.

In addition to the Beautify Akwesasne Pilot Project, the Department of Transportation (DOT) also offers the Adopt A Highway Program. The program will also aid in efforts to beautify Akwesasne, said Beatrice Johnson. Families, businesses and sports team have an opportunity to maintain a section of State Route 37 dedicated to their organization. As part of the program, it is the DOT’s responsibility to provide garbage bags and vests to organization volunteers as they maintain their designated section of roadway. The DOT will also gather bags of garbage placed along the designated section of the roadway after cleanup.

ATWG hopes to complete additional projects similar to Beautify Akwesasne, which will promote tourism in Akwesasne. Additional projects include: the development of an art park located near the decommissioned Hogansburg Dam, an amphitheater, mural artwork on area buildings, district walking trails, landmark attractions, culturally-oriented decorative mailboxes and the revamping of the various entry points into the Territory of Akwesasne.

Keeping up to date with technology, ATWG would also like to create an App, which would allow visitors to go on self guided tours. The ATWG is also currently planning to organize and offer guided tours of the community. ATWG would also like to develop geocaching sites within the community. Geocaching, similar to a treasure hunt with GPS waypoints, would contribute to highlighting both natural and physical places of interest in Akwesasne.

Members of the ATWG visited Seneca Nation and were inspired by the culturally oriented designs within the community. On the territory bridges are decorated with cultural symbols, clearly highlight the culture and letting visitors know that they are in Seneca Nation, and not just another city or town along the highway. Seneca Nation also seems to have a “just do it” type of attitude which leads to the completion of many projects, said Thompson, while Akwesasne tends to plan and thoroughly outline ideas. Many of the difference between the two territories is due to the variability in funds.

ATWG is expected to complete the ATSAP projects with the aid of The Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design (CIRD) award. Akwesasne is one of six communities in North America to receive this award. Currently, creative rural planning professionals are developing a rural design plan that will address the Akwesasne’s design challenged and opportunities. CIRD professionals will hold community workshops to showcase the plan as well as engage the community in the design process, offering design expertise and technical assistance. The two and a half day workshop is set for November 17-19, 2016. This award is valued at $35,000 and Akwesasne is the first of two indigenous communities to be given the award.

“We want to make sure people and community members are participation and doing things the way they want,” said Thompson, “and we are fortunate to have so many different businesses and organizations involved.” ATWG is actively meeting with different stakeholders and the ATSAP will be highlighted at upcoming tribal and council meetings in Akwesasne. Interested community members and businesses who would like to learn more about ATSAP, or would like to comment on the ATSAP are encourage to contact Lindsay M. Tarbell, Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Economic Development Planner at (518) 358-2835.