A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
The Water Moccasins – (L to R) Amanda Jacobs, Steevi King, Andrew Lazore, Louis King, Kanenishon Arquette and Brandon Swamp placed first, for the third year in a row. This was the first year of making fire for the team, creating a solid dynasty of Survival Race winners.
House of Rock (L to R) Margie Skidders, Nikaiataa Skidders, Matthew Benedict, Kaientake Thompson, Frankie Lafrance and Rachelle Garrow-Hayes. "This is what we trained for and making fire was a bonus," Thompson stated.
The Early Birds + Perry team placed third among nine teams, (L to R) Karen Francis, Perry Francis, Joie McCarthy, Kelly McCarthy and Colby Bradford, missing from the photo is Laura Tarbell.
Team I Love Funky Butt Loving consisted of three teammates doubling up on each section of the race: Melissa Rose completed the swam section and then canoed with Jeremiah Point (far left). Point biked to tag off to Vincent David (far right) who carried the backpack and ran the last leg of the race. The team finished the race last but with determination, garnered fourth place after making fire.
'Thompson Teammates' Tianna Back and Ratons Thompson portaging their canoe at the end of their portion of the race.
Frankie Lafrance (R) closes in on Olivia Cook (L) near the tag off point for the backpackers.
Team No Sleep showing team support by running in with Aliance Hart (out front carrying the goods for making fire) at the end of the race (L to R) Mackenzie Wright, Bailey Thomas, Tahaienkwarentos and Oniehtese Laffin.
Early Birds + Perry teammates concentrate on making fire with just string, a bow and lots of hard work.
AMPS Team generously donated $200 to AFS. Teammates included: Christian Zimmer, Ryan Thomas, Brier Jonathan, Ky Horne, Amber Thomas and Cody Thompson.
By Kaniehtonkie
Another year of the Akwesasne Freedom's School Survival Race has concluded, and this year ended with a bang – or combustion more like it. The Survival Race consists of a half mile swim with a short sprint, a six-mile canoe paddle from AFS to King's Marina with a portage to the Snye Recreation center, from there they hand off to the biker to ride from the Recreation Center to the Helena Fire Station (ten miles). The backpacker then picks up a forty-pound backpack (women) or an eighty-pound backpack (men) who carries it for one mile. The backpacker tags off to the runner who will run from Helena-Frogtown road for a distance of six miles.
Once all teammates arrive at the AFS they attempt to make fire with just a bow, string and some tinder (softened bark).
Team Water Moccasins arrived first and were successful in making fire placing first. The House of Rock team went from fifth place to fourth and ended the race in sixth place – but once their runner arrived at the school the team quickly set out to make fire and boom – jumping them from sixth place to the coveted second place. The Early Birds + Perry team also did the same, arriving later but successful at making fire placing them in third.
All three teams generously donated their winnings back to the Freedom School. Congrats to all who participated.
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