The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne presented a check for $500,000 to the Akwesasne Freedom School on September 25, 2023. Friends of the Akwesasne Freedom School (FOAFS) had made a request to the MCA for assistance for the construction of a new school.
The Akwesasne Freedom School is the Akwesasne community's only full-Mohawk immersion school. It began as a grassroots effort in 1979 and continues to provide our children with language and culture-based instruction. The school's mission reads, "Through our language, the Akwesasne Freedom School will support and encourage a process for each child to learn their roles and responsibilities as Haudenosaunee through an understanding of the Ohen:ton Kariwahtehkwen as the core of their learning experience."
Operating within aging buildings, the school has begun construction of a new facility that will allow them to continue providing students with valuable education.
"It is our pleasure to support the Akwesasne Freedom School as they provide a priceless service to our community," said Grand Chief Abram Benedict. "The preservation of our language and culture is a priority for MCA and we applaud the efforts of the school and staff, including its many volunteers, who are unwavering in their commitment to pass on our Haudenosaunee traditions and Mohawk language. We look forward to the celebration of a new school building and how it will positively impact the students and their education."
The request for a contribution was approved by Council on August 14, 2023 following a presentation on the school building project by the FOAFS. MCA's donation is derived from the Ontario Lottery Gaming (OLG) reserve fund.
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