Mid-Winter Ceremonies to begin January 20, 2018

At the End of Season's Ceremony, the Chiefs, Clanmothers, and Faithkeepers released the men (hunters) to go out and collect meat for the midwinter ceremonies. The speaker had told the people that the Midwinter Ceremonies will begin five nights after the Teskoha Karahkwa (new moon).

The Midwinter Ceremonies are set to take place at the Mohawk Nation Longhouse on Saturday, January 20, 2018. Before then, the Big Heads (Rotinontsistowanon) will be bundled by the Chiefs, Clanmothers and Faithkeepers on Saturday, January 13, 9:00am. The Big Heads will be instructed to travel about the community and bring medicine into the homes. Many of you will be familiar with the Big Heads and recognize that they will sing their song into your home and tell how they have been given the duty by their leadership to take your work away from you so that you can focus your attention on the ceremonies that will happen. The Big Heads will also stir ashes inside your home that will bring a good medicine to you when the ashes settle. (When the Big Heads arrive at your home, you should give them your full attention and turn off your TV and radio). After the speaker for the Big Heads finishes his speech, you should give them something such as washed corn, frozen strawberries, maple syrup or wild game meat for the soup.

January 20, 2018 (Kariwi:io – 3rd Day recited)

One day is spoken to take away what is bothering you, so you carry a good mind throughout the Mid-Winter Ceremonies.

January 21, 2018 (Tenhonkenrawenrie - Stirring the Ashes)

The house is split as of the first day and the Wolf & Turtle clans will use the Men's Door while the Bear Clan will enter through the Woman's Door.

Wolf clan will prepare the foods for the ceremony and clean the longhouse.

January 22, 2018 (Ase Ononkwashonah - Medicine Renewal)

January 23, 2018 (Kaienkentho/Owirashonah - Tobacco Burning/Children's Day)

A tobacco burning will be put through in the morning and a Feather Dance will follow. The Faithkeepers will then make preparations to honor the children as they will look for two young children that will be able to sing the Feather Dance. When this is complete, the Faithkeepers will name the newborn babies that have been born, up to one year old.

Bear Clan will prepare the foods for the ceremony and clean the longhouse.

January 24, 2018 (Ahsen ni Karennake Ostowakowa-Feather Dance Day)

The first Great Feather Dance is for the Faithkeepers and will start at 7:00am on this day.

Turtle Clan will prepare the foods for the ceremony and clean the longhouse.

January 25, 2018 (Atonwa - Men's Chant)

Snipe clan and all other clans will prepare the foods and clean the longhouse.

January 26, 2018 (Onehoren -Drum Dance)

Wolf clan will prepare the foods for the ceremony and clean the longhouse.

January 27, 2017 (Kaientowanen - Peach Bowl Game)

On the previous day, all the people would have been told of what items that they are encouraged to put in the bowl game. The first item is white wampum, a turtle rattle (singing instruments), traditional clothing, or a lacrosse stick. (The item that you put in is supposed to be something you value highly).

All Onkwehonwe will prepare the foods for the ceremony and clean the longhouse.

Please bring foods for the soup, corn bread, strawberries, maple syrup and eating utensils. Please wear your traditional clothes. Opening will start at 9:00am sharp each day, except for Feather Dance Ceremony, which will start at 7:00am. If you arrive late, don't stand at the door, please find a seat quietly. All Onkwehonwe are welcomed. Niawenkowa!