Akwesasne Garden Initiative Begins with the Help of Local Businesses

By: Jaclyn Hall

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne recently announced on April 24th, a new garden initiative set to take place during this year's gardening season stating, "Under Kaienthohsera-Akwesasne Garden Initiative, the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne is attempting to help alleviate some food needs by providing raised garden beds to individual households. Each package will include an 8'x4'x1' raised garden bed that will be delivered and installed to the residence. For individuals with or without gardening experience, we will be providing information to help individuals be successful in their food growing with all the information being grounded in who we are as Akwesasronon.

The struggles experienced due to COVID-19 are not equally shared by all individuals and the anxieties created by the unknown exacerbate the situation. As Akwesasronon, we know that we come from a long, strong history of people with the knowledge and capability to meet our food needs. Furthermore, Kaienthohsera was given the responsibility to provide for our people and, within this, we have the responsibility to strengthen our relationship with them and learn, as well as pass on our knowledge, so future generations can be healthy and prepared."

Akwesasronon were asked to take a survey, through a link shared by the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Facebook page. In the survey, people were asked questions regarding their experience and different gardening needs. Elders and those who do not have access to internet were given the option to fill out a survey over the phone. The deadline to submit the first round of surveys was May 1st. Those selected to receive a free raised garden bed were contacted and the process of installing the first round of garden beds has begun. With the recent announcement of additional garden beds being distributed, the project has been expanded and more people will be receiving help with their gardening needs.

"The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne would like to thank the community for their interest in the Kaienthohsera- Akwesasne Garden Initiative! We received an overwhelming response and are looking forward to moving ahead with this project. Due to the response, MCA has decided to expand the initiative to provide more Akwesasronon, who previously filled out the survey, with garden beds. The first 200 recipients have been contacted and our employees are working hard to finalize and contact community members for our "second wave" of recipients. At this time, we ask for and appreciate your patience as our dedicated team works to deliver the garden kits to households across Akwesasne."

Akwesasne Earth Movers, Northern Landscapes and TwoHouse Design-Crafters were partners in the Kaienthohsera- Akwesasne Garden Initiative, providing locally sourced and purchased supplies. The Akwesasne Garden Initiative not only provided free raised bed gardens to Akwesasronon, it also provided temporary employment, which is much needed during this time. Since there has been such an outstanding amount of support for the Akwesasne Garden Initiative, orders have doubled, and the project has been expanded to help even more Akwesasronon to be become self-sufficient.

"We at TwoHouse Designs-Crafters are so grateful to have been brought on board to contribute to this project. During these uncertain times we are able to employ additional workers to help construct these boxes. This is a great way to support the local small business community."

While also adding that there has been an increased interest in raised garden boxes, TwoHouse Design-Crafters is also offering raised garden boxes available for purchase, for those who were unable to receive a raised garden bed through MCA's Garden Initiative.