Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

On Tuesday, August 1, 2017, the 6th annual breastfeeding walk took place at the Generations Park. This year was different, as it was a breastfeeding poker walk. Registration took place at 5:00-5:30 pm, with a meal provided at 6:00 pm. Participants had the opportunity to visit the different programs that were set up. The programs that were set up at the event were Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Dental Clinic, WIC, ECDP, DSS's Foster Parent Recruitment Program and Healthy Families NY. Participants received a full hand of cards and the participant with the best hand won an Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Hotel package, which was donated by the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino. The lucky winner was Karin Thompson.

Darius White was also at the event serving his organic green smoothies with chicken kabobs with wild rice. There were also prizes for the children who showed up with their mothers. The breastfeeding moms also received a free t-shirt. The event had a great turnout with about 50 participants, despite the heat, everyone enjoyed themselves.

Kim Lauzon-McElwain stated, "Each year the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action coordinates breastfeeding week August 1-7th. This is the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe's WIC Program's 6th year hosting an event. The importance of this year's theme is to inform, engage, anchor and galvanize to form partnerships that attract political support, local support, media attention, participation of young people and to widen our pool of supporters. Through our program we provide support, education and advocacy to our moms to help them initiate and continue breastfeeding. Our program has over 80% of our participants that initiate breastfeeding. It's important that our moms know our community supports them whether they are exclusively breastfeeding, pumping or breastfeeding and supplementing. Encourage our moms to continue breastfeeding no matter what age their infants are. If they are 3 months, 9 months or 24 months, we aim to normalize breastfeeding. Niawen to the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe's ECDP, Dental and Foster Parent Recruitment Programs and Healthy Families NY for being a part of it."