Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

On Friday, October 23, community members, members of Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe gathered to officially announce the grand opening of the Experience Akwesasne Welcome Center which is located in Kawehnoke at the Peace Tree Trade Center.

In hopes of garnering more than just a passing visit through Akwesasne, the Experience Akwesasne Center seeks to developing a better understanding of who we are and what Akwesasne has to offer. The center displays artwork by various local artist as well as information on local businesses and community and cultural organizations. Each month, the Center will showcase and shine the spotlight on one local artist and one local business.

Moments after the ribbon cutting, Grand Chief Abram Benedict remarked, "I know that Jim Ransom and his staff have been working very hard, working with our partners and the Provinces to bring our resources together to make this Welcome Center a reality. Many of you have seen inside already, that it demonstrates the diversity of our local artists, and displaying their work - The arts and crafts reflect what our community has to offer.

A few weeks ago we were able to join the Tribe in the unveiling of the sign on Route 37 and I think with the timing, it is really great that we are here today opening this Center. As we move forward, for Council, this is something we want to continue is do is to promote the beautification of our community, promote our local businesses and to promote our local artists. There is a lot we have to offer our community.

The ribbon cutting ceremony at the grand opening of the Experience Akwesasne Welcoming Center, located on Kawehnoke at the Peace Tree Trade Center. (From L to R), Chief Daryl Lazare, Chief April Adams-Phillips, and Chief Troy Thompson, Kylee Tarbell, and Welcome Center Manager; LaToya Rourke, Grand Chief Abram Benedict, SRMT Economic Development Director Chris Thompson and Chief Dennis Chaussi. Back row; Chief Joe Lazore.

I think that today is a mile marker for our council and our community. This demonstrates the partnership that we have. The concept for this has come from collaboration with the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe and the work that they have completed in identifying the need to bring our culture to light. The Peace Tree Mall is a great location for the Welcome Center as thousands of cars travel through here daily. As we move forward, we hope to attract more and bring more people to our community.

LaToya Rourke, Manager of the Experience Akwesasne Welcome Center stated, "I am very proud to be standing here today. I'm very proud of our local artists in our community and our local businesses. I would like to send a big thank to Victoria Ransom, who is our spotlight artist this month. Each month we will showcase a local business, and this month we have the Purple Ribbon Gift Shop. I would also like to say thank you to maintenance crew, Sturge and Matt Thompson, Linda and her angels (for assisting in the set –up), the Akwesasne Museum and the Native North American Traveling College. We have so much potential here."

The Center offered drinks, snacks and a celebratory cake to all who stopped in to take part in the grand opening. Community members are encouraged to stop in for a visit.