Niawen

Niawenhko:wa

On behalf of the Akwesasne Freedom School families we'd like to say NIAWENHKO:WA to all of those who helped make our 40TH Anniversary a great celebration. Our weekend was kicked off by our first Indigenous Gala. We'd like to acknowledge and thank Iakonikonriiostha and Loran Thompson for their speeches about the beginnings of AFS. We had some great entertainment by Kontiwennahawi, Akwesasne Women's Singing Society, who acknowledged the teachers for all of their hard work and dedication. We also had Murray Porter, who travelled all the way from BC to be here and entertain us for the entire weekend. And then there was the food! Prepared by AFS alumna, Iaonhawinon, who created a menu based on what she could collect from locals' gardens such as: Onkwe, Strong Roots, ATFE and our own raised beds here at AFS. Iaonhawinon prepped for three days with the help of our summer students Karonhiahawe Lazore, Thanaokatha Elijah and Kanenishon Arquette, parents Ciele Samuel, Emma Shenandoah, Lori Lazore and community volunteers Whitney Oakes, Liz Hoover, Ion'awiienhawi, Dean George and Pat Chubb. The meal consisted of four courses. First course was a kale salad w/beets, pickled red onion, yellow wax beans, cucumbers, peach and black raspberry vinaigrette. Second course was a wild rice dish served on cauliflower puree dressed in pickled cherry vinaigrette with roasted squash. Third course was braised bison served on roasted mushroom corn mush with blueberry jus and edible wildflowers. Fourth course was a squash pie with peach and sweet corn sorbet with a mixed berry sauce. Each course was served by alumni Nikaiataah Skidders, Kaneratiiostha Swamp, Kahontineh Swamp, Tricia Benedict, Shari Adams, Kawehnokwiiostha Thompson, Konwahontsiawi, Thanaokatha Elijah, Kanenishon Arquette, Konwawihon Fox and Karoniase Swamp. Cheyenne Jocko and Andrew Chubb also volunteered alongside the alumni from set up to clean up and did a great job keeping everything moving along beautifully! Niawenhko:wa!

A special Niawenhko:wa to our sponsors: Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, Akwesasne Mohawk Casino, Bay & Paul Foundation, CAA, Tarbell Facilitation Network, TMG, Sacred Fire Foundation Board of Trustees, MICA Group and Onkwehonwe Midwives Collective.

To all the people who attended from near and far, you made the evening a huge success!! In total we raised $40,056 from this one evening! All the proceeds will go toward our new building fund which has now reached $95,000 in mixed currency!!

The weekend continued with the Survival Race on Saturday morning with 9 teams participating in the race of 5 events plus fire starting, and new this year was the archery component. Niawenhko:wa to all of our Survival Race participants; you are all excellent role models for our community and you make the weekend so exciting for us!

Niawenhko:wa to the Redrum MC for your support through the motorcycle ride and poker run which raised $1,000! With at least 60 bikers and riders in attendance, your support means a lot to us!

Niawenhko:wa to the HAVFD again for cooking the chicken and making our dinners such a huge success!

Niawenhko:wa to Everett Lazore for hooking us up with some great cuts of steak!

Niawenhko:wa to our vendors who shared their crafts and talents over the weekend!

Niawenhko:wa to all of those community members who donated items to our silent auction: Liz Perkins, Emily Tarbell, Woodstock Crazy Crafters, Purple Ribbon, Jean Fei, The Seymour Sisters, it is greatly appreciated!

Niawenhko:wa to all the quilters, who made such beautiful quilts for us to bid on! The quilts were amazing this year, so much creativity and love went into each one!

Niawenhko:wa to our auctioneer, Iakonikonhriiostha, you made it so fun and exciting!

Niawenhko:wa to all of our entertainers, who came out to sing and share your beautiful music with us! To Bear Fox for reaching out to so many talented people and making the lineup for the weekend, you are awesome!

Niawenhko:wa to our visitors, who traveled here to support our school! It means so much to have your continued support!

In total we raised over $68,000.00 which will go towards our general operating costs for our current school year.