Ahkwesahsne to Host the Six Nations Sing on April 15, 2017

By Arisawe

The following article is an update to last week's notice of the sing. Note the correction for the date.

Every year, in the Spring and in the Fall, the Six Nations Sing is held in one of the Six Nations territories. It's a time for all the Singing Societies throughout the confederacy to gather, to share with one another how each has assisted within their own communities, to share New Women's Dance verses and to end the night with a social dance. It's also a time for people, from the youngest to the eldest, to come together to enjoy the singing, dancing and visiting.

On April 15, 2017, Ahkwesahsne will host the Sing, as confirmed at the 2016 Fall Sing in Allegany. While we are honored to host this event, it will not go on without community participation and support. We can expect to have upwards of one thousand visitors in Ahkwesahsne for this gathering. This means a lot of visitors will need places to sleep and food to eat. This is a drug and alcohol free event.

The day will begin with lunch at 11:00 AM, at which time the delegates meeting will take place. The delegates, usually two people representing each Singing Society, will gather to discuss how each Society has assisted in their communities throughout the year. Each representative will take their turn and they speak in their Nation's language. It's encouraging to hear the Six Nation languages spoken, especially by the young people.

Ahkwesahsro:non have been very generous when an event of this size takes place. Women donate cooked foods and assist in the kitchen and serve the meals alongside the Singing Society. We call upon the men to set up chairs and tables, ensure the garbage cans don't over-flow and assist in parking cars, making sure that people can come and go as needed.

The Singing Society would appreciate help in providing meals and security for our visitors. It may be necessary to help people get to the Longhouse from Rte. 37, especially if families with small children or elders have to walk. Parking at the Longhouse is limited but they will do their best to provide shuttles for those who need the service. Once again, Noonie Thomas will allow the over-flow of vehicles to use the parking area off Rte. 37. (Nia:wen Noonie). If anyone is willing to volunteer with serving food or parking cars, please contact any of the Singers.

The Ahkwesahsne Women's Singing Society has been preparing for the Sing by learning new verses that will be shared at the Sing. These New Women's Dance verses were created by three members, Bear Fox, Iawentas Nanticoke and Tekonwakwenni Nanticoke. The women have been attending Sings for many years and their gifts of creating and singing the songs is very special. They are happy to see other young women who are learning the songs and will join them on the bench for the Spring Sing.

To raise money to purchase food and supplies, the Singing Society held an on-line auction, a social and just held a raffle for two baby quilts that were generously donated by Wabigonikwe Tenasco-Cook and Iawentas Nanticoke. The draw was held on March 31, 2017 and the winners were Tewa'ennote Deer and Tekaienhne. The Ahkwesahsne Women's Singing Society would like to thank the community for their continued support in their fundraising efforts.

There is a "duty" that Singing Societies perform in their own communities. It isn't about singing as much as it's about providing assistance and aid to community members. The Ahkwesahsne Women's Singing Society have organized socials, raising funds to help people with medical travel or house fires, for instance. Men's groups are supposed to cut wood for the longhouse, maintain the longhouse and cookhouse and keep the road in good shape. They should also make sure they help any elders if they need help with their homes or cut grass for them. When there is a ceremony or any doings at the Longhouse, they should start the fires and clear the snow away from the walkways.

When the Ahkwesahsne Women's Singing Society organize a social they need to contact the men to let them know we need singers for a social. They ask one of the young men to be the housekeeper, the one who will announce the dance and the lead singer. They ask someone to light the fire in the stoves and plow the driveway to the longhouse.

They've also contributed to families who have lost a loved one through death. They've helped to raise funds to assist with legal costs for DAPL Water Protectors and the effort to have our "real" names recognized. They've supported the travel for Water Protectors traveling to North Dakota also. The Singing Society also donates to the Akwesasne Freedom School by providing funds to each classroom for needed supplies. They try their best to help where help is needed.

The Ahkwesahsne Women's Singing Society, also known as Kontiwennenhawi, has been able to raise money by performing, sharing songs and speaking to outside communities who are interested in learning about who we are as "Mohawks." One of the first things they share is that the real name for us is Kanienkehaka. They receive money to pay for their travel expenses, including gas, food and a place to sleep. The remainder or any honorariums, go into the community account. They also have three CDs available for sale and the funds generated by the sales goes into the community account.

Individual members do not receive payment for singing. The women have jobs and are dedicated members of the Singing Society also. Three women work full time as teachers, one works in the area of horticulture and food sustainability using heritage seeds. The women are mothers, grandmothers and aunties. Now, there are other young women from Kanienkeh and Ahkwesahsne who have joined the Singing Society and are practicing and preparing for the Sing.

It isn't just monetary support that is given. Occasionally, the women have been asked to visit with anyone who is not able to leave their home due to illness. They've gone to visit and sing to elders and occasionally they have the opportunity to welcome brand new babies into the world with the "Baby Song." The women have also been teaching social songs and will soon teach Seed Songs to the younger people. It is important that the ceremonial songs are passed on to the young people.

We would like to acknowledge Ratirennenhawi and the young men's Singing Society for contributing by purchasing much needed supplies and volunteering to help. Nia:wen.