Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

The Akwesasne Youth Leadership group, which aims to reinforce and strengthen traditional values of the youth of Akwesasne, recently organized a wampum belt workshop that took place on January 12th.

Jamie Jacobs, Seneca Turtle Clan, traveled from Tonawanda to share his knowledge of wampum belts with the youth of Akwesasne. He brought with him several replica belts that included Tadodaho Wampum Belt and the Great White Mat wampum belt.

Wanting to highlight two belts, the Circle Wampum and Dust Fan (often called Everlasting Tree) Wampum Belt, Jacobs explained the importance that both of these belts hold for our Hotinonsonni people.

The Akwesasne Youth Leadership, or AYL, stressed the importance of having this workshop to introduce the history and significance of the belts to the youth.

The workshop proved to be a great success as the number of participants reached 100-plus. In the crowd were a lot of young people, but also attending were some of our elders. This just goes to show that no matter your age or how much knowledge one has, there is always room for learning more.

AYL members with Kanenihshon Arquette, who won a basket as part of the door prize.

For those who were unable to attend, a video recording of the workshop will be made available at a cost for the people of Akwesasne, but free to the youth. DVDs will be available to purchase at future events and gatherings. Proceeds will go back to the AYL group so that they may continue to hold these beneficial workshops and events.

The AYL hopes to host more workshops in the future to inspire cultural and spiritual development within the youth of Akwesasne. I strongly encourage more youth to attend future events that AYL organizes.

For those interested in attending future events, receiving monthly newsletters or joining the Akwesasne Youth Leadership, contact Teiosha’kentihshon Elijah by email, teioelijah@hotmail.com or Akwesasne Youth Leadership on Facebook.