Midwinter Ceremonies

The Midwinter Ceremonies are set to take place at the Mohawk Nation Longhouse on 5 sleeps after the new moon. Before then, the Big Heads (Rotinontsistowanon) will be bundled by the Chiefs, Clanmothers and Faithkeepers. The Big Heads will be instructed to travel about the community and bring medicine into the homes. The Big Heads will sing their song into your home and tell how they have been given the duty by their leadership to take your work away from you so that you can focus your attention on the ceremonies that will happen. The Big Heads will also stir ashes inside your home that will bring good medicine to you when the ashes settle. After the speaker for the Big Heads finishes his speech, you should give them something we can use for ceremony such as washed corn, strawberries, maple syrup or wild game meat for the soup.

Kariwi:io.

Kariwi:io explains the roles and responsibilities of the leadership and the process of the 4 sacred ceremonies.

Tenhonkenrawenrie - Stirring the Ashes

The house is split as of the first day and the Wolf & Turtle clans will enter the Men’s Door while the Bear Clan and all other clans will enter through the Woman’s Door. During this rite, sometimes our grandfather Hatori will appear. When everyone has taken their turn of stirring the ashes, the leaders close the rite. A great Feather Dance is done to sanction the Stirring Ashes Rite. Next, the Corn, Bean, and Women’s dance are done to acknowledge and honor their importance. When all of this is complete, a speaker will explain what will take place the following day. In between the dances, a speaker will encourage the people to

remain strong in our ways.

Ase Ononkwashonah - Medicine Renewal

Kaienkentho - Tobacco Burning

A tobacco burning will be put through in the morning and a Feather Dance will follow.

Bear Clan will prepare foods for ceremony and clean the longhouse.

Owirashonah – Children’s Day

The Faithkeepers will make preparations to honor the children as they look for two young children to sing the Feather Dance. When this is complete, the Leadership will name the newborn babies that have been born, up to one year old.

Ahsen ni Karennake Ostowakowa-Feather Dance Day

The first Great Feather Dance is for the Faithkeepers and will start at 7:00am on this day. After the Great Feather dance, the Corn and Bean dance are conducted. Singers are chosen again for a separate Feather dance for the people. The Women’s dance is done next. Singers for the last Feather dance are sought but this one is done in honor of the Creator.

Atonwa - Men’s Chant

Someone is chosen to open the Atonwa with a song and speech. He does this in four positions or directions and addresses the men, faithkeepers, chiefs, clanmothers, young people, and the children. After the Atonwa opening, the faithkeepers, chiefs, and men sing their songs to the Creator. After all the singing has been done, the naming ceremony begins. The name giving is announced by clans. After the number of babies is announced, discussion takes place as to which side of the house starts first and naming. An announcement is made as to whoever wishes to come and place their faith back to the Longhouse ways. If there are such people, they are fully informed as to what the requirement of this belief is. This is also sanctioned by a pledge to our wampum. Everyone welcomes the new member and the ceremony commences. Depending on the time of the day, sometimes the Corn, Bean and the Women’s dance may be done. Feasting follows and the speakers explanation is announced for the next day.

Onehoren -Drum Dance

Drum dance. The Corn and Bean dance, the life giver songs are sung next. Next, the women’s dance is done honoring their contributions as life givers. Feasting follows and the explanation of the next day’s events takes place. A speaker is again chosen to close the gathering with the Ohenton Karihwatehkwen.

Kaientowanen - Peach Bowl Game

This day is the last of the four sacred rites when the peach-stone game is played. The gathering of goods from both sides of the house is announced. These goods consist of lacrosse sticks, snow snakes, drums, rattles, wampum, and clothes of all kinds. Jewelry, silver, beadwork, and shiny things will be refused.On the previous day, the people would have been told what items they are encouraged to put in the bowl game. The items are white wampum, a turtle rattle (singing instruments), traditional clothing, or lacrosse sticks. The item that you put in is supposed to be something you cherish the most.

All clans will prepare the foods for the ceremony and clean the longhouse.

Please bring foods for the soup, corn bread, strawberries, maple syrup and eating utensils. Please wear your traditional clothes. Opening will start at 9:00am sharp each day, except for Feather Dance Ceremony, which will start at 7:00am. If you arrive late, don’t stand at the door, please find a seat quietly. Leave your cell phones at home. All Onkwehonwe are welcomed.