Grand Opening Ceremony for Ionkwakiohkwaro:ron Tribal Administration Building

By: Jaclyn Hall

Friday, June 7, 2019, marked a historic moment in Akwesasne. With the Grand Opening of the new Tribal Administration Building Ionkwakiohkwaro:ron, came an underlying message of unity and the strength Akwesasne has when people can put their differences aside to work together as one. Leadership and representatives from many different sectors of government and religion, gathered for the Grand Opening alongside community members and employees.

The Grand Opening began at 11:00 a.m., which started off with welcoming words from SRMT's Executive Director Tsiorasa Barreiro. Next, Rasentonkwa Tarbell conducted the Ohenton Karihwatehkwen, Opening Address. Members of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council then took the time to speak on behalf of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe while showing the utmost respect and gratitude to the late Margaret Terrance and her family for allowing the tribe to help make her dream come true.

In 2006, Margaret Terrance left the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe 42 acres as long as the land was used to help bring the elders and youth together. Her wish has been continuously fulfilled, every time a Lacrosse Box is built, a playground goes up directly across from a Senior Center, a Diabetes Center is built. So much has come to fruition because of Margaret Terrence's generosity and the hard work of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and the community of Akwesasne.

One of the highlights of the Grand Opening was when both Father Jerome Pastores and Bear Clan Mother Louise Herne took to the stage to give their blessings and words of encouragement. It's not very often in Akwesasne that leadership from SRMT, MCA, Mohawk Nation Longhouse and the Catholic Church come together for an event alongside the community of Akwesasne. For many, it was the first time they have seen anything like it, and hopefully it will not be the last. Louise Herne said it best, "What's important is that we as a community move forward as one people. We have to become prime shining examples of what human excellence is. When it comes to governance, we are very divided, but there are glimmers of hope in how we stand forward and represent our people. As we move forward together as a community, it's time that Akwesasne moves forwards as one governance."

Finishing off the Grand Opening Ceremony, before the ribbon cutting, the Akwesasne Ratirennahawi sang the round dance and many attendees got up to dance. Then the honour song was sung. The ribbon cutting took place with community members and Tribal Council participating in the ribbon cutting together. Rasentonkwa went on to close with the Ohenton Karihwatehkwen before everyone was invited to a free lunch. Many stayed afterwards for a tour of the brand new three-story building.