Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Press Release - Last week, the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne was excited to learn that the community of Akwesasne will have a “leg” in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games after being announced as a stop along the national route for the Olympic Torch Relay. Akwesasne will join an unprecedented number of Aboriginal communities to share in the Olympic spirit as the Olympic Flame makes its way through the community during its 106-day trip leading up the Opening Ceremony in Vancouver on February 12, 2010.

“This promises to be an incredibly exciting and once-in-a-lifetime event for the Akwesasne Mohawk community,” said MCA Grand Chief Tim Thompson. He noted, “I’m proud that our community was selected and that Akwesasne residents will get to view the Olympic Flame in person, as well as a chance to participate as Olympic Torchbearers. It will give Akwesasne an opportunity to help bring the 2010 Olympic Winter Games to life as the Olympic Torch Relay runs through our community.”

One of the guiding principles for the Olympic Torch Relay is to highlight the proud heritage and vibrant cultures of Aboriginal People across Canada. Aboriginal communities will help comprise the more than 1,000 communities that the Olympic Flame will visit along its 45,000-kilometer journey that begins on October 30, 2009. The Olympic Organizing Committee worked closely with the Four Host First Nations that will hold the 2010 Winter Olympics Games in their traditional territories to ensure that plans are inclusive and reflective of Aboriginal Peoples.

Akwesasne has been identified as one of 155 Aboriginal communities that will have a short ceremonial stop that will include Olympic Relay activities. Plans are currently in development, but local activities are being designed to showcase the dynamic cultural and geographic diversity that exists throughout the area. A complete list of dates and communities that the Olympic Flame will visit, including events planned for Akwesasne, will be available online in the Spring of 2009 at http://www.vancouver2010.com/torchrelay.

The Torch Relay’s presenting partners, Coco-Cola and RBC, indicated that there will be several opportunities for residents to apply and carry the Olympic Flame. Those that are selected to serve as Olympic Torchbearers will run or walk for approximately 300 meters along the route. Anyone interested in applying for the historic opportunity to carry the Olympic Torch can apply at iCoke.ca or at rbc.com/carrythetorch.  

“This is going to be a memorable day for everyone in our community,” added Grand Chief Thompson noting that the community of Akwesasne is helping to light the Olympic Cauldron that will signal the start of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

For more information about the 2010 Olympics Games, please visit http://www.vancouver2010.com.