A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
Latoya, Marlana and Sandra beading at the Healing Lodge on Saturday.
Kelly Back – Fire Loom Creations, works with a young child, teaching her how to bead on a loom.
Sierra Sharrow teaching participants on how to wash white corn using ash.
Participants having a great time while washing white corn. This event was sponsored in part by MCA Land Based Healing Program and Onkwe.
Corn washing participants received a 'corn washing splint basket' made by Glen Swamp. Participants include Whitney Oakes, Karrie Benedict, Kaeliana Smoke, Kim Confer Leah Delormier, Morgan Skidders, Bryan Garrow, Erin Cook, and Twyla Jacobs (not in order). Also pictured Donna Rockwell-Jock and Nelson Jock of Onkwe.
By Kaniehtonkie.
Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Land-Based Healing Program held a series of workshop throughout the week of Monday, September 23 to Saturday, September 28th. They offered a variety of activities including a beginner's weaving class, a food preservation workshop, clay pipe making and a corn washing workshop. They also had fun activities to get you moving whether it be skateboarding, hiking or singing in a garden work bee.
The events were part of part of the week-long "Healing Through Art: Truth & Reconciliation Workshops.", as we work together in the spirit of Truth & Reconciliation.
The National Truth & Reconciliation honors the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.
Latoya Rourke, Land Based Healing Specialist said, "I wanted to do these workshops to honor the artists that still continue to share the teachings with us. Everything residential schools tried to take away from our Totas, is continued to be taught and shared today. I hope that these works spark more Akwesasronon to get back in weaving, pottery, beading, basketry and all various forms of art."
The workshops were designed to reach all ages of community members – from young children to our elders.
The Land Based Healing Program plans to do more events in the future. For the next round of workshops, they plan to hold events during the evenings to reach Akwesasronon who work during the day.
Rourke said, "We understand that not everyone was able to attend the day events, so we'd like to be accommodating to everyone."
Over 50 participants attended all of the workshops combined – with over forty participants beading the 'community belt' with Kelly Back of Fire Loom Creations. Kelly made visits to residential school survivors giving them an opportunity to participant in the beading of the belt. The completion of the belt will be used by MCA Land Based Healing as a teaching tool for our local schools.
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