How a Pandemic Has Changed Akwesasne

By Jaclyn Hall

In recent weeks, the people of Akwesasne have been in a constant state of grief. As the pandemic drags on through the spring, many struggle to support their loved ones throughout their different stages of grief. How are Akwesasronon adapting to loss during these times?

Funeral homes announced new practices during this pandemic, limiting the amount of people allowed to attend funeral services. Every single person who has recently lost a loved one has been affected, regardless of their beliefs. With funeral homes offering to ease the minds of family members by broadcasting funeral services, family and loved ones have no choice but to take what they are given. Being asked to avoid mass gatherings and avoid close contact goes against our grieving process as Onkwehonwe people. It is a bitter pill to swallow, knowing the way we must adapt to keep our people safe from disease.

It is important to recognize the state of grief many of our people are faced with daily, whether it be from a recent loss of a loved one, loss of a job, loss of a way of life or all of the above. The loss can cause our minds to be filled with grief, making it so that we cannot think clearly. We have different practices and protocols set in place to help lift the minds of the people who are filled with grief.

I can only speak for myself, my family and my clan. When someone passes away, whether I knew them or not, I always ask what clan they were. I was raised to understand the importance of this practice, although times have changed since we all lived amongst our own clans. People of the longhouse were taught to take care of the clan family who have suffered a loss. For example, when a someone of the bear clan passes away, the wolves and turtles are to step up and handle the cooking, ceremony, and all-around support. This practice gives the clan, and the family time to grieve and take the time they need to pick their minds back up off the ground. Assuming the wolves and turtles were not family with the deceased, the tasks at hand could be done with a clear mind.

Today, that is not the case, as we have evolved into nuclear families, who place more of an emphasis on blood relatives and not clan family. We have all the tools to help our people through the grieving process, but how do we implement them in today's society?

One simple way would be taking into consideration that the practice was based on family and community. As a community, we have so many resources and tools to help us through these difficult times; we just need to utilize the tools that are at our disposal. There are talented grief counsellors here in Akwesasne, there are knowledgeable men and women who are more than willing to support and assist people who are grieving.

With the mandated isolation, it may seem as though there is no place to go. Although we cannot meet in person, like we normally would, our support systems have adapted to be able to serve the people even during a pandemic. The thing is, do we watch the people suffering and wait for them to ask for help, or do we take it upon ourselves to offer support to them?

I was raised to offer my support and show up where I am needed, I have never been asked by the grieving family. It is mainly an understanding and a form of reciprocity for the ones who supported my family and my clan during our times of loss.

I remember a time when I was the one grieving and I still had to go out and find a speaker for my cousin who had just passed away from cancer; that was a difficult task, but no one else stepped up to offer that support for my family. I remember that time clearly and the state of grief I was in. I am ofreminded the time I had to find a speaker for my cousin, when one of our people passes away. So, I try my best to offer what support I can at that time. I do not expect a thank you, I only hope to have the same support when I am the one the grieving once again; because death is an endless cycle, and there is no way around it. If we can face these difficult times together, and support one another the best way we know how, it will make a world of difference for our people as a whole.

For now, we must make do with what we have. Finding other creative ways to support one another at a distance and sharing the resources that are available. With that, here are several resources Akwesasronon can utilize throughout this challenging time.

MCA Wholistic Health and Wellness - 613-575-2341

SRMT-Good Mind Counselling - 518-358-3141

-1800-647-7839

Aseshate:ka'te Grief Services -518-333-6112

[email protected]

http://www.agsfire.org