Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

On Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5, 2014, the Akwesasne Cultural Restoration Program showcased a full weekend of sharing cultural knowledge and Kanien'keha language. Each of the four areas in the ACR; Traditional Medicines and Healing, Fishing and River Use, Hunting and Trapping, and Horticultural and Traditional Foods, had interactive displays and activities that everyone could take part in. Each display and activity reflected the amount of time and effort the program members put into it; more importantly, each reflected the energy and conviction to the Kanien'keha language, culture and traditions. This past weekend was an excellent living report on the Masters and Apprentice program daily activities and the progress they have made. Each year the Akwesasne Restoration Program will give this report to the community of Akwesasne.

The Hunting and Trapping component took a greenhouse building and made it into a hunter's paradise with displays depicting a beaver hut, traps and beaver, muskrat, and the entire skin of a moose. They had a game to test your throwing skills while setting a trap and showing the power of each trap. One could also try their hand at skinning a fur skin or archery.

The Horticulture and Traditional Foods component had a number of activities and displays set up. Demonstrations were held on warm water bath canning and home composting. As well, you could press apples to make fresh and organic delicious apple cider, or slice apples for drying and making a healthy snack. You could also try your hand at making delicious corn bread with the very entertaining and informative Tom Porter.

The Medicine and Healing component held a morning workshop on getting participants reacquainted with making and drinking natural and organic tea from locally sourced herbs and plants. Several refreshing and "good for you" teas (or tonics) were available to try. Participants enjoyed making plantain salve and given a small container of the salve to take home. It was explained how readily available these plants are, how we need to "get to know them" again and use them for a healthier and more radiant you.

The Fishing and River Use component had freshly smoked sturgeon and smoked bass to sample as well. You could try your handwork and patience at preparing a night line. They had displays of local fishing maps, how to tie proper knots and biographies of each student and master teacher.

Akwesasne Cultural Restoration's Hunting and Fishing Apprentices and Master Teachers stand on either side of guest speaker Christine Bird. Left to right; John Karonhiatase Cook, Apprentice Hunting and Trapping, Vaughn Iaontanawen Adams, Master Teacher Hunting and Trapping, Aaron Adams, Apprentice Hunting and Trapping, Jojo Kioronhiathe Lazore, Apprentice Hunting and Trapping,Teiohonstiakwente Skidders, Apprentice Hunting and Trapping, and Angelo Ranekentaro Johnson, Apprentice Hunting and Trapping. 

Kanien'keha/Mohawk lessons were given on each day by Dorothy Lazore. The lessons were entertaining, engaging and physically active. The Kanien'keha lessons are a vital and integral part of the entire Restoration Program, with language lessons given daily. The Kanien'keha language holds the key to our cultural ways and traditions.

Guest speakers included representatives from SRMT Healthy Heart, and Thompson Island Cultural Camp. Keynote speakers were Dr. Taiaiake Alfred and Christine Bird. Each spoke of the process of building and forming the foundation of principles and beliefs in which they and others built the Akwesasne Restoration Program.

Each day participants were served a healthy lunch prepared from the harvest of their gardens and meat from their trapping and hunting, ensuring all meals and all snacks were organic, locally sourced, and naturally... non-GMO.

The entire weekend at the Akwesasne Restoration Program had its own air of "doing good things" for the community of Akwesasne. But it held much more than "doing good things" and it doesn't get much better than that. It had the air of hope; it had the air of feeling secure. It brought back memories many participants had of their childhood and of growing up on the river, in a garden, or in the woods. In reliving old memories that were long forgotten it held hope for our future, not only for the youth of Akwesasne but for all of Akwesasne.