Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

By Arisawe

The Freedom School is moving into its 36th year of operation and it hasn’t been without struggle and hardship. Right from the beginning, the parents made the decision to take control of their children’s education and provide them with teachings that just didn’t exist in mainstream, public education systems. If this were to happen, and succeed, parents knew that they couldn’t, they wouldn’t, depend upon governmental funded programs. This meant a lot of fundraising, maintenance and day to day operations would be shared by the parents and ultimately by the Ahkwesahsne community.

Throughout the year, the Freedom School has bake sales, breakfasts and raffles. The Annual Dinner and Quilt Auction is the main fundraiser of the year though. The community never fails to show their support at the fundraisers so the parents and administration show their appreciation by organizing an event for the community.

This past Saturday, January 17th, the Ahkwesahsne Freedom School parents and administration, wanted to show their appreciation to the community. They organized a social and a free cake walk that was very well attended.

The Opening Address was recited by Rarennahawi Francis, a student at AFS and the House Keeper was Ranariiohsta Herne, also a student of the school. When you can witness boys, carrying on the duties and protocols of the Rotinonhsonni, you know that the Ahkwesahsne Freedom School is playing an important role in ensuring our traditional teachings will continue to be shared for generations into the future.

Parents brought food to share and they also brought a cake or pie that would be given away to the person who was lucky enough to have their name drawn in the free raffle. The students also showed their appreciation by making beaded necklaces which they gave away at the social.

There were four raffles that were drawn from ticket sales. The first place draw was for a Longhouse basket that contained everything you would need when you attend a ceremony such as, bowls, cups and eating utensils. The basket alone, made by Amber Dawn Lafrance, was a black ash picnic basket and would have been a very good prize by itself.

The second and third place winners, won two smaller basket prizes raffled and the baskets made by Tewehniserathe, and they also contained utensils for the Longhouse ceremonies. Aronhienas Herne won the second prize and Ioratehka Swamp won the third prize. Harris Cole was the fourth place winner, which was a $50 gift certificate from the Tarbell Management Group.

The social was a great success and the Longhouse was filled. Visitors, especially from outside territories, are amazed by the fact that we have so many young people who attend the socials and not only that, they conduct the socials. They recite the opening and closing address, they announce the dance and the lead singer and they participate in singing the songs and doing the dances, and Kanienkeha is spoken. The Ahkwasahsne Freedom School should feel pride in their students.