As the people of Ahkwesahsne see their gardens come to an end, they get ready to give thanks. This is the time when Rotiianeshon (Chiefs) Kaieri Niioriwake (Faith keepers) and Kanistensera (Clan mothers) will come together to set the date for Harvest.

The Kaieri Niioriwake, Rotiianeshon and Kanistensera came together to set the date for Kakhowanen starting on Friday, October 31 and ending on Sunday, November 3, 2014. The leadership came to one mind and agreed to how harvest ceremony will run in Kanonsesne (Long House) for three days.

On the first day, the three feather dances is done. The first dance will start at 7:00am for the Kaieri Niioriwake. They will go around once before the people join in the dance. The katsista (ceremonial wampum fire) will be laid out on the bench for people to make amends with the creator. At 9:00am, the ceremony will continue with the second feather dance is for the people and the last dance is for Shonkwaiatison (Our creator). In between the three feather dances, kionhe:kwen ( Sustenance Dance), and Ionashitakaronnion Karennakaion ( women dance) will be done. When this is finished a speaker is selected to tell the proceedings of the next day. We eat, close the ceremony and go home.

The second day starts with tobacco burning to give thanks for the foods that came out of the gardens this year and able to see everything come back for another year.

After the Tobacco burning, the kaieri Niioriwake get the people ready to perform the Atonwa (Naming) Ceremony. A speaker is selected to open Atonwa called ionkwetakaion (the old Man) to speak to the people of the four corners of the long house. Once he is done, the young men sing their Atonwa songs. Then the Rotiianeshon, Kaieri Niioriwake and Kanistensera will work together to name the children for that day. When all the children are named, then the speaker who did the four corners to open atonwa, will close the ceremony.

Next is Oneho:ron (Drum Dance). A song and dance is done with the water drum. A speaker is selected to speak on behalf of the people to recite the beginning of time to the present. He moves to the center of the floor when the singers cue him to speak. The people dance around him. Once this is completed, someone is selected to tell the people what will happen on the next day. Then everyone is allowed to go home.

On the last day is Kaientowanen (Peach stone game). The people are asked to bring their most prize possession. This game pleases our Creator. This is played clan against clan. There are 4 main items the people are asked to put up for the creator, traditional clothing, musical instruments (rattles and water drum), lacrosse sticks, and wampum. Nothing used or something you don’t want anymore should not be put up. The game is usually played until 25 kahentas is reached. The clan with the most kahentas out of 25 win. Once the game is finished, we sanction the game by doing Ostowakowa, Kienhekwen, and Ionashitakaronnion Karenakaion, if there is time. Then a speaker is selected to recite what happened for the all three days. Then he will ask the other side of the house, if there is anything that was forgotten. Then the other side may add to what he has said. Then everyone eats together. The traditional closing is done and everyone is allowed to go home.

This year Harvest Ceremony will start on Friday, October 31 and go till Sunday, November 2, 2014. The people are asked to be on time and stay after the end of each day to clean up after each ceremony. The ceremony will start on Friday at 7:00am and will start 9:00am on Saturday and Sunday. Please be there for the whole time because times could change Sat. or Sunday, agendas could be amended, depending on what is decided at the end of each day and how much work we have to do on that day. Please bring corn soup, corn bread, Strawberries, maple syrup, and eating utensils. People are asked to bring extra bread because we have not been able to feed all the people at some ceremonies. All Onkwehón:we are welcome. Traditional dress is appreciated. Niawenkowa.