A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
Akwesasne Mohawk Students meet runners to welcome them to Kawehno:ke
Runners, students and staff gather around the Peace Tree at AMS to commemorate 215 children lost at a Kamloops residential school.
Runners representing educators from the surrounding areas included Ian Callan, René Bourget, Rachelle Doth, Dale Witty and former MCA chief, Troy Thompson.
AMS student runners who greeted the guests at the bridge and escorted them to AMS included Ollie Brant, Adeline Fontaine and Miki Emudluk.
Painted orange stones were placed around the Peace Tree at AMS in memory of the 215 children lives.
A group of 'running' educators are on a mission to better understand the horrific residential school experience and to build better relations between Akwesasne and the Cornwall area. The runners have been running for ten days in a row – running 21.5 miles each day – one kilometer for each child of the 215 children found buried at the Kamloops Indian Residential School in B.C.
On Wednesday, June 9, 2021 the runners from the Cornwall area were welcomed by Akwesasne Mohawk School students and community members at the International Bridge. Three students; Miki Emudluk, who attends AMS, Ollie Brant who attends Tagwi and Adeline Fontaine who is a student at Williamstown ran along with the runners escorting them to the AMS school grounds.
Once the runners reached the AMS school grounds they placed 215 orange rocks that had been painted by children at the base of the Peace Tree at AMS.
TJ Point welcomed the runners by reciting the Ohenton Karihtekwen. Romaine Mitchell also welcomed the guests and introduced Ian Callen, who spoke of reconciliation.
Ian Callan spoke to gathered students, staff and supporters saying, "She:kon, ten days ago, we could never have imagined, we would be here today in Akwesasne. What started as a personal exercise between friends, to run a little longer and focus our thoughts on 215 beautiful children lost has allowed us to be so warmly welcomed into your community. We are immensely grateful.
In our wish to honor the memory of each lost child, we present you with 215 stones painted with love by children of your neighbor communities across the river.
We have come to realize more on our journey of 215 kilometers, that we still have a long road to truly understand. We must recognize that to genuinely honor the children lost, we must commit to action in the process of reconciliation.
We pledge that these were mere first steps to forming bonds of love, respect, friendship and understanding with you. As an elementary school teacher my personal role will be teach the children in my charge; the lessons so desperately needed to form those connections. My students and I will learn together, to know better. Only then, can we do better. We hope our journey can continue today from this Peace Tree at Akwesasne Mohawk School.
As we walk with you, a very close step behind, listening and learning, perhaps someday we can walk hand in hand in mutual understanding, respect, and love. May the laughter of children be the song to which we all dance. Nia:wen."
Following the ceremony, the families of Angel Brant and Jessica Roundpoint provided a socially distanced traditional feast of corn soup, fry bread, and strawberry drink.
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