Where Else Can We Go?

Where else can you go to buy cat food in a can for $1.09? Where else can you go to buy a nine-volt battery for $7.19? Where else can you go to buy a bottle of wine for $20.00? We can shop local at all of our stores in Akwesasne…that is where.

Yes, we have an Akwesasne Chamber of Commerce looking out to benefit the business people in Akwesasne. Yes, we have a Convenience Store Association that works together on their businesses making sure that the pricing is fair for each of the store owner members. Yes, we have an elected tribal government here promoting their business licenses, for our people, to look for when making local purchases. We have billboard signs reading “Buy Local” on the territory.

Yet, who is protecting tribal members from price gouging practices in Akwesasne? Who is our impartial consumer advocate? Who cares that the seniors are living on a fixed income? Who cares that we have many people working below minimum wages in Akwesasne? Who cares that we have non-natives working here and demeaning those that are Natives working for the same business?

Overall, we have modeled ourselves to look like the outside white government that is despised by our people and have allowed our local merchant greed to overtake common sense in proper treatment of our own residents. Respecting each other and especially the elders here would help to remind businesses that these retirees should get discounted pricing at these places of businesses if we want them to shop local and to sustain the idea of buying local.

With no bus service available, and limited local mail delivery, our elders live like shut-ins hoping to have their needs heard, and competitively met. Taking the last of the elders’ money while they are diligently trying to change a smoke detectors battery only rubs salt in the wound. Shame on a system that vultures itself.

Peace Be With Everyone

Agnes Terrance