Kariwi:io (Good Mind) Ceremony

The Ceremonial Fires throughout the Haudenosaunee Confederacy will come together on September 30, 2018 to put through the Kariwi:io Ceremony for the leadership and people of Akwesasne. This will start on Sunday around 2:00pm with the host Nation (Kanienkehaka) greeting all the other delegates from the other Nations throughout the Confederacy. The visitors will sit on the Wolf and Turtle side of the longhouse. Akwesasronon and all other Kanienkehaka will sit on the Bears and other clans’ side of the house. The host Nation will ask for the invitation wampums to be returned from the delegates that are present. Each fire has a speaker who tells how many delegates have travelled to Akwesasne. Then a formal hand shaking is done to welcome the visitors. Everyone breaks for supper and a social is performed to entertain our guests for the evening.

The Kariwiio will begin on Monday, October 1, to Thursday, October 4, 2018. The people are asked to be there before 8:30am. The opening is done every day at 8:30am sharp. If you get caught coming in during the opening, please do not stand at the door. Find a seat quietly. Wear your traditional clothing. There will be a social every evening while Kariwiio is going on starting at 7:00pm. All singers and dancers are encouraged to attend the socials. All donations are welcomed: food, money, water, etc. Donations can be dropped off at the Mohawk Nation office or the Mohawk Nation Cookhouse, or call 358-3381 for more information. Volunteers are also needed to help cook and serve the people.

On the last day, Thursday, after the speaker recites the last day of Kariwi:io, a speaker is selected among the delegates to recite everything that has happened during the 4 days of Kariwi:io. Then someone from the host nation repeats and confirms what the delegate has stated back to them. The delegates are handed back their Katsista (ceremonial wampum), the closing is done, and the delegates are released to head back home to get ready for the next Kariwi:io ceremony in another longhouse among the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

All Onkwehonwe are welcome to participate and listen. Thanehtho (that is all).