Mid-Winter Ceremonies to begin January 29, 2020

The Midwinter Ceremonies are set to take place at the Mohawk Nation Longhouse on Wednesday, January 29, 2020, 5 sleeps after the new moon. Before then, the Big Heads (Rotinontsistowanon) will be bundled by the Chiefs, Clanmothers and Faithkeepers on Saturday, January 25, 9:00am. The Big Heads will be instructed to travel about the community and bring medicine into the homes. The Big Heads will sing their song into your home and tell how they have been given the duty by their leadership to take your work away from you so that you can focus your attention on the ceremonies that will happen. The Big Heads will also stir ashes inside your home that will bring good medicine to you when the ashes settle. After the speaker for the Big Heads finishes his speech, you should give them something we can use for ceremony such as washed corn, strawberries, maple syrup or wild game meat for the soup.

January 28, 2020, (Kariwi:io – 2nd Day recited)

On the 2nd day of Kariwi:io explains the roles and responsibilities of the leadership and the process of the 4 sacred ceremonies.

January 29, 2020 (Tenhonkenrawenrie - Stirring the Ashes)

The house is split as of the first day and the Wolf & Turtle clans will enter the Men’s Door while the Bear Clan and all other clans will enter through the Woman’s Door.

Wolf clan will prepare the foods for the ceremony and clean the longhouse.

January 30, 2020 (Ase Ononkwashonah - Medicine Renewal)

January 31, 2020 (Kaienkentho - Tobacco Burning)

A tobacco burning will be put through in the morning and a Feather Dance will follow.

Bear Clan will prepare foods for ceremony and clean the longhouse.

February 1, 2020 (Owirashonah – Children’s Day)

The Faithkeepers will make preparations to honor the children as they look for two young children to sing the Feather Dance. When this is complete, the Leadership will name the newborn babies that have been born, up to one year old.

Turtle Clan will prepare the foods for the ceremony and clean the longhouse.

February 2, 2020 (Ahsen ni Karennake Ostowakowa-Feather Dance Day)

The first Great Feather Dance is for the Faithkeepers and will start at 7:00am on this day.

Snipe clan and all other clans will prepare the foods and clean the longhouse.

February 3, 2020 (Atonwa - Men’s Chant)

Wolf clan will prepare the foods for the ceremony and clean the longhouse

February 4, 2020 (Onehoren -Drum Dance)

Bear clan will prepare the foods for the ceremony and clean the longhouse.

February 5, 2020 (Kaientowanen - Peach Bowl Game)

On the previous day, the people would have been told what items they are encouraged to put in the bowl game. The items are white wampum, a turtle rattle (singing instruments), traditional clothing, or lacrosse sticks. (The item that you put in is supposed to be something you cherish the most).

All clans will prepare the foods for the ceremony and clean the longhouse.

Please bring foods for the soup, corn bread, strawberries, maple syrup and eating utensils. Please wear your traditional clothes. Opening will start at 9:00am sharp each day, except for Feather Dance Ceremony, which will start at 7:00am. If you arrive late, don’t stand at the door, please find a seat quietly. Leave your cell phones at home. All Onkwehonwe are welcomed. Niawenkowa!