Mohawk Names of Medicine Class Held at the Akwesasne Museum

The Akwesasne Museum hosted a class by Alicia Cook, which was about Mohawk names of Medicine. The class was held Wednesday June 14th, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. Several community members took time from their busy schedules to attend the one time class. The class started around 5:30, with Alicia Cook introducing herself and what she does with the Akwesasne Cultural Restoration Program located at Racquette Point. She went on to explain what the importance of what natural medicine means to her and the importance of our people becoming knowledgeable in our natural medicines again. At the beginning of the class, she had set up a double boiler with a large mason jar filled with stems. Alicia explained to everyone the stems in the jar was the Jewelweed plant and she went on to explain that this would boil throughout the class. She described the uses of Jewelweed, like using it for poison ivy, eczema, psoriasis and other skin conditions you can use Jewelweed salve on.

Everyone received papers with Mohawk words to many medicines that grow in and around Akwesasne. The paper also had the Mohawk words one should use to pick medicines, make medicines and release medicines. The class was very educational, as Alicia welcomed questions throughout the class. She went on to explain that she would be making two types of teas for everyone to try towards the end of the class.

The next part of the class, Alicia brought everyone outside to go for a short walk down the road, behind the museum. She was able to identify several different medicines that were growing on the sides of the roads. The knowledge that Alicia has is amazing, to be able to go for a short walk and be able to find a plant that helps with cancer, or one that helps the body absorb iron. These plants will probably be cut down as soon as someone goes through with a weed eater, not knowing how many different types of medicines they are killing. That is why it is so important for people to learn about what types of medicines grow around here and right in your back yard.

Once everyone went back into the classroom, the Jewelweed was about ready to be made into a salve. Alicia explained the different ingredients used to make the salve and where the ingredients can be found. The two types of teas that were prepared were Elderberry flower and linden. Elderberry flower is good for helping the immune system, while linden is used to help relax you. Everyone in attendance got to try out the teas, and relax. The class ended around 7:30, with everyone bringing home some knowledge and Jewelweed salve.