Native American Day at Massena Central High School

Before Massena Central High School (MCHS) let out for Christmas break the Mohawk Club hosted their annual Native American Day Celebratory activities took place on December 20, 2016 and were expressed through the sharing of language, art, food and dance.

Robin Logan, Native Resource Teacher, said, "Native American Day takes many months to coordinate and organize."

Current student officers of the MCHS Mohawk Club include: Taylene Hall, President, Kaeliana Smoke, Vice President, Amanda Rourke, Secretary and Tehanonhsohta Cook, Treasurer. Student officers and members take pride in celebrating and educating their fellow students during this annual celebration.

The Ohenton Karihwatehkwen opened the full day of activities and was recited as part of the daily school announcements. The club planned to show Ohero:kon, a film created by Katsitsionni Fox, but experienced technical difficulties and they were unable to show the film. Instead, Chelsea Sunday and Jonel Beauvais provided students with a cultural presentation which focused on their involvement and roles in Ohero:kon.

75 students participated in sweetgrass bookmark making. Carrie and her daughter Rain Hill, a current MCHS student, taught the two groups of students. Carrie Hill stressed that the students respect the process and material they were given to create their sweetgrass bookmarks.

"I picked each blade of sweetgrass one by one under the hot sun in the middle of July and I burned tobacco for it, so please respect it." said Carrie Hill.

Carrie Hill went on to describe her and her daughter's basketry. She showcased the tools and materials used to create baskets and described some of the different basket weaves and designs. For the 75 students who created the bookmarks, Hill estimated that it took her 5 hours to prep for the workshop, while it only took the students about 20 minutes to create their sweetgrass bookmarks.

Kit Thomas, local artist, also had her artwork on display. In the first period she spoke to two classes of students and by the second period she was speaking to a room full of students and staff. She spoke about her evolution as an artist and answered questions about her work. Towards the end of the period Niio Perkins showed up and she also provided a brief presentation on her bead work.

After the artist showcase Mohawk Club members, guests and students gathered for a catered luncheon. Three Feather's Café provided a menu of corn soup, fry bread, hash and strawberry drink.

Following the luncheon talented dancers performed in the gymnasium. Shatekaronhioton Fox, Akwesasne Traveling College, taught students about the Ohenton Karihwatehkwen and recited it before the performance. Karahkwiiohstha King, a current student at Centennial College studying performing arts, demonstrated astounding smoke dancing and hoop dancing. The talented Star Mason followed performing jingle dress dancing. Jocelyn Jock with her vibrant fancy shawl was the last dancer to showcased her talents to the students. A traditional Iroquois Social followed with the Native North American Traveling College singing group. MCHS students were invited students to participate and the gym floor became crowded as the singing group led the students in the Stomp dance.