Ka'khowanen (Harvest Ceremony)

The Kaieri Niioriwake, Rotiianeshon and Kanistensera came together to set the date for Kakhowanen starting on Friday, November 4 and ending on Sunday, November 6, 2016. The leadership came to one mind and agreed how harvest ceremony will run for three days.

On the first day, the three feather dances are done. The first dance will start at 6:30am for the Kaieri Niioriwake. They will go around once before the people join in the dance. Then we will take a break and come back at 9:00am. The ceremony will continue with the second feather dance for the people and the last dance is for Shonkwaiatison (Our Creator). In between the three feather dances, Osahetakeha (Bean Dance), and Ionashitakaronnion Karennakaion (Women Dance) will be done. When this is finished a speaker is selected to tell the proceedings of the next day. We eat, close the ceremony and get ready for the next day.

The second day starts at 8:00am with tobacco burning to give thanks for the foods that came out of the gardens this year and able to see everything come back for another year. Please remember to bring tobacco for this day.

After the Tobacco burning, the Atonwa (Naming) Ceremony is performed. A speaker is selected to open Atonwa called ionkwetakaion (the old Man) to speak to the people of the four corners of the long house. Once he is done, the young men sing their Atonwa songs. Then the Rotiianeshon, Kaieri Niioriwake and Kanistensera will work together to name the children for that day. When all the children are named, then the speaker who did the four corners to open Atonwa, will close the ceremony.

After Atonwa, we break to eat. Next is Oneho:ron (Drum Dance). A song and dance is done with the water drum. A speaker is selected to speak on behalf of the people to recite the beginning of time to the present. Once this is completed, everyone is free to go home and prepare for the next day.

On the third day at 9:00am, Kaientowanen (Peach stone game) will start with the opening. This game pleases our Creator. This is played clan against clan. There are 4 main items the people are asked to put up for the Creator, traditional clothing, musical instruments (rattles and water drum), lacrosse sticks, and wampum. Nothing used or something you don’t want anymore should not be put up. The game is usually played until 25 kahentas is reached. The clan with the most kahentas out of 25 win. Once the game is finished, we sanction the game by doing Ostowakowa, Osahetakeha, and Ionashitakaronnion Karenakaion, if there is time. Then a speaker is selected to recite what happened for all the three days. Then everyone eats together. The traditional closing is done and the four messengers are asked to guide us safely back to our homes.

The people are asked to be on time and stay after the end of each day to clean up after each ceremony. Please be there for the whole time because times could change Sat. or Sunday. Agendas could be amended depending on what is decided at the end of each day and how much work we have to do on that day. Please bring corn soup, corn bread, Strawberries, maple syrup, and eating utensils. People are asked to bring Onononsera (squash) for the third day for three sisters soup on the last day. All Onkwehón:we are welcome. Traditional dress is appreciated. Niawenkowa.