A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
Caring Hearts of Akwesasne volunteers gather for a group photo. Front (L to R): Cheryl Jacobs and Jonathan Lazore. Back (L to R): Karen Oakes, Katrina Oakes-Herne, Floanne Burns and Courtney King.
There were plenty of baskets donated in memory of loved ones lost to cancer.
Tina's Pride donated a beautiful custom bicycle.
On Saturday, May 19th, 2018, volunteers from the Caring Hearts of Akwesasne organized the first Cancer Jamboree. The event took place at the American Legion Post 1479, with a Chicken BBQ sold at noon until all was sold, and the Jamboree itself beginning at 3 pm. A Mohawk Auction was set up during the Jamboree, with many items and baskets donated in memory of a family member who lost the battle to cancer or a loved one fighting cancer. Everything during the event was donated: the volunteers donated their time to organize and run the event, the musicians donated their time to perform, the cooks donated their time and efforts to cook and sell the Chicken BBQ meals. All the proceeds raised during the event were split between the Akwesasne Cancer Support Group and Tina's Pride.
The event had a great turnout. Everyone was able to try their luck at the Mohawk Auction while enjoying some live music. The line-up for the Jamboree began with Darry White, Troy Square and Harry Benedict all performing a solo act. After the solo acts finished the bands began to perform beginning with the Tribal men Band, Crosswinds Band, Katsi and Biscuits Band, D.J "Lonewolf" White and the Spaghetti Corner Boys, The River Mohawk Band and the Play back Band.
The event was the first of its kind. When asked if there will be more in the future, one volunteer, Jonathan Lazore stated, "We were just talking about doing another one next year, making it an annual thing." Another organizer Jim McDonald stated, "There isn't one person from Akwesasne who hasn't been touched by cancer. All the bands and solo acts have a family member that has been affected by cancer. All the performers are from Akwesasne, except for one that's from Massena and Norwood. When the band from Norwood heard about the event, the drummer's father had cancer, so they said 'I'm in.' All the bands performed for free, to help out."
The Jamboree was a huge success, with the grand total of $10,472.00 raised in one evening. Akwesasne always comes together for a great cause, and this is one cause that everyone in Akwesasne can be a part of. Let's hope next year's Cancer Jamboree is just as successful, if not more.
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