A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 306
By Sesi King Tyler Armstrong, age 20, hails from Johnson Road in Ahkwesahsne and is currently living his dream of being a goalie in both field and box lacrosse. For 15 years, Tyler has been playing the game he dreamt about as a very young boy in his yard. His parents, Sean and Leanne, have supported him 100% and helped Tyler to achieve his goal. As long as he can remember, his dream was to someday attend IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. This is a prep school that combines academic and athletic...
The beginning was like any other summer day of playful fun on a trampoline for Camryn. They were attending a graduation party. They had gone on to another grad party following this one and soon her mom Tracie noticed her girl walking with a limp as she passed by. "What's wrong?" asked Tracie. Her little girl answered, "I really don't feel good and I just want to go home." So they went home and suggested a shower might help her to feel better with the warm water on her muscles. She thought maybe...
Venita "Shaiawennatonti" Loran was born March 4, 1931. Her father was Monroe Williams and her mother was Mary Oakes. Venita's siblings are Gloria Crouse, Velma Jocko, Dwayne Williams, Gloria Halbritter, and Rudy Williams. Venita's sister Velma named Sunrise Acres, because the sun rose so vividly where she lived. Venita's husband was Daniel Loran; the eldest of his family and now deceased since 1982. He was a Superintendent for the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Water Works. Together they had three child...
Elizabeth King Oakes "Konwarihonienni" was born on September 14, 1939. Arisawe's parents were Paul King and Theresa Curry and paternal Grandparents were Jake King and Marion. "My grandparents on my mother's side were Jake Curry and Catherine Smoke. Aunt Josephine had four children: Sarah Lazore, Dave Curry, Mary Herne and Florence Cook. They were my cousins," she said. During that part of the familial history, the Curry name is no more after the death of Arisawe's cousin David. So here is some o...
This week, we are fortunate to read a story about the life of Joe Calcagno, the last surviving musician from the ever-popular "Thundertones," Akwesasne's own. Joe is the son of Dorothy Jock and John Calcagno and during the time he was a young tyke, his parents divorced in New York City. She brought her son back to Akwesasne and got him baptized at the St. Regis Catholic Church. Joe spent most of his young life with his grand parents Joe and Sarah Jock and attended school at St. Regis Mohawk...
On November 11-13, a hockey tournament was held in Kanata. The championship game was won and celebrated by the Cornwall Typhoons. The exciting back and forth game was against Oakville with a final score of 3-1. Two young ladies from Akwesasne play on the team and each made a mark to help the cause. Karahkwahawe White made one of the goals in the final and Millie King was named Player of the Game for her defensive efforts. Congratulations to all the girls on the team as well as their...
Dick has lived in Akwesasne most of his life except for a short stay in Massena. He agreed to share part of his story with our readers. He dove right into his main interest, which is volunteer firefighting for the community of Akwesasne. HAVFD station #1 is where he spends much of his time when needed or called upon. Presently, he has been involved as an exempt member since 1993. His main role is to educate school children in the Fire Prevention Program. The St. Regis Mohawk School students are...
It was the morning of October 17th and the sounds of little feet entered the halls of HAVFD Station #1. St. Regis Mohawk School Kindergarten classes with teachers Mrs. Jock and Ms. King were with them to learn all about fire safety and stranger danger. Their speakers were Jason McDonald, Dick Laffin and Cameron Mitchell as well as many other helpers that you will see in a photo with this story. They opened the session by showing a short video with questions to follow about fires. Next, the men...
It was that time again, September 17, 2016, to head down to Salamanca Seneca Alleghany Casino. The winners of the Native American Music Awards were announced. Voting took place weeks prior to the musical event as the nominees were listed and announced at the ceremony. Before the doors opened at the center, friends, singers, actors, dancers and photographers gathered. The big night was filled with feelings of emotions of sadness, memories, happiness and excitement as a whole. The curtains opened...
Working hard does pay off for big rewards in life. This really came true for a wonderful young lady athlete, Sabrina Sunday of Tsi Snaihne. Sabrina is the daughter of Tyler and Shannon and a sister to Tyler Jr. She has succeeded throughout high school at Massena Central and her most favorite sport is Volleyball. She has earned many awards and served as Captain and co-captain while playing on her teams. Each year she developed more skills and confidence to be one of the top players throughout New...
The Akwesasne community was treated to the NHL Native Alumni Team and the Akwesasne Stars on March 5, 2016. Spectators of all ages came out on this mild March day to share the event at the A'nowarako:wa Arena. The organizations that sponsored the game were Tehotiiennawakon Department and Mohawk Council of Ahkwesahsne. Traveling on the bridge was a clear indicator that the arena on the island would be packed with many hockey enthusiasts. A long lineup of cars was waiting to get to the arena to...
Saturday, February 26, was an evening of experience, appreciation, and visualization. It was an event called "Art Wars", a first for Akwesasne's community and sponsored by Native North American Traveling College. It was exciting to watch and the evening's "war," which lasted from 5pm until 9 pm as it showcased 14 local artists. The St. Regis Mohawk School was the location of the paint off and the room was quickly filled to capacity. Upon entering the multipurpose room, a spectator would see 14 e...
Rob White, PJ Burns and Cynthia Lord were on hand to guide the racers at Kanatakon School on Monday. The children ranged from two years old to 8 and the vehicles were set at a reasonable speed to suit the ages. Children who attended this event had a very good time and there was a good turnout. Many thanks to Power Wheels Race sponsors AMPS, RCMP, and SRMTPD....
Congratulations to Sabrina Sunday (captain), for a very successful Massena Central 2015 Volleyball Season in her senior year. She is the daughter of Shannon and Tyler, along with a brother Tyler. As her team finished as the top team, Sabrina earned the 2015 Girls Section 10 Player of the Year award as announced by the New York Volleyball Coaches Association. What an honor for such a talented player. Along with this award, she has also received two other awards: the Argile Booster Club All...
A recent visit was made to a very wonderful and well known couple in Akwesasne. Thomas V. and Toni Herne live in a nice quiet section off State Rt. 37. Vernie is more commonly known here by his middle name along with seven siblings and parents Katie and Tom Bones Herne. Toni was also blessed with seven siblings, but actually her mom gave birth to 15 in all, in which some babies did not survive. Up to the present, only Toni and Vernie remain from their families. Their children are Cathy, Angela,...
Don Burnstick is a Cree comedian from Alexander First Nation outside of Edmonton, Alberta. He came to Ahkwesahsne to perform on December 31st, so fitting being New Years Eve. He performed for about two and a half hours of straight laughter and crying. The crying was with tears of happiness as spectators were helpless in holding back their laughter at the Snye Recreation Center. It was a filled to the max entertainment with a full agenda for the evening. It is remarkable how Don has spread his...
On Monday December 8, 2015 a Holiday Concert took place at the St. Regis Mohawk School with many parents and friends in attendance. Mr. Hahn and Mr. Potter directed and accompanied the entertaining program. The grades were Kindergarten and Pre Kindergarten on this day and they sang beautiful winter and holiday songs. Christmas Pudding, Five little Snowmen, Jingle Bells, and Ring the Bells were sung by the classes of Mrs. Willis, Mrs. Clark, Mrs. Jordan and Mrs. Bradley. The children were absolut...
By Sesi King At the St. Regis Mohawk Senior Citizens location, a meeting was held on Thursday, October 29, and was sponsored by the Akwesasne Genealogy and Historical Society. The purpose of the meeting was with the hope of inviting more interested people to become members of the organization. There are many areas to explore in finding information about ancestry and record past lineages. It would be nice to have newly found information to be passed on to future generations in families....
The Massena Varsity Football team went to play against Malone at the Crowner Field on Saturday, October 31, at 1 pm. It was a partially sunny and cloudy day with many people in attendance. Malone played an undefeated season with many talented players. The score at the end was 35-8. It was a game dedicated to the Wounded Warriors as the Malone players dressed in camouflaged shirts. There were fundraiser events taking place to assist a future dinner to present to the Wounded Warriors at a later da...
"Akweks," King of Birds are fighting for survival in Ahkwesahsne. In recent times on the St. Lawrence River, there have been sightings of about 3-4 Bald Eagles. They are viewed as protectors and sacred to the lives of Native and Aboriginal people. We need to pay attention to them and help them to survive so their population can grow again. In the early 1900's, there were thousands of akweks flying freely among the lands and waters of our people undisturbed. Recently, someone decided to...
Last Sunday on October 18th, a banquet was held in Manville, Ontario and sponsored by the Upper South Farm. We would like to congratulate a successful young lady in doing so well with her interest in horse riding with her riding club. Karenhatironhtha Johnson has received a beautiful trophy for obtaining the highest scores overall during her season. She has scored the highest in many of her competitions with her Club. Congratulations, Karenhatironhtha....
Louis Jake Jacobs served in 3 branches of the U.S. military from 1950 to the mid 1970s. He was in the U.S. Navy from August 1950 to August 1953. He turned 18 while in boot camp. In the U.S. Navy he worked in the aviation sector and took care of the aircrafts. After his service in the U.S. Navy, he returned home and worked at Alcoa. He didn't enjoy working there and decided to return to the service. This time he signed up with the U.S. Air Force. He served in the Air Force from February 1954 to...
Congratulations to a young lady, Millie, who entered a pair of handmade moccasins in the New York State Fair in Syracuse. She began to piece the moccasins together and bead them with her 6th grade class in the spring under the direction of her mother, Pudgie King. In 2013, Millie entered a woven basket that also won a first place ribbon. Millie is a member of the Akwesasne Young Riders 4- H Club. The members complete projects and some are chosen for entry at the State level. This pair of mocs...
This is a story about an independent man who will soon turn and celebrate his 103rd birthday. Freeman "Jacob" Lazore was born on September 12, 1912. His mom passed away when he was only 12 years old and he then lived with his late sister Emma Lazore Cole until he turned 16. Freeman left the area to look for work and traveled toward the Albany area to work on farms and logging. After that, he came closer to home to work in Syracuse where he lived for 42 years. He moved back to the Racquette locat...
Lud Beeson is another veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force. His involvement in war was during the Korean and Vietnam wars. His interest to serve his country was initiated by an admiration of his Uncle who was serving in the Air Force during World War II in England while repairing airplanes. Lud decided to give it a shot to join the Air Force as well, and also worked with the planes. Once he was enlisted, his mom had to sign for him to go. Altogether, his active duty and the reserves totaled...
