Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

The staff at the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Vocational Rehabilitation Program appreciates everyone who attended and participated at the Disability Awareness Day. The TVR program really came together as a team and worked hard to make it such an amazing success. A special thanks to Chief Paul Thompson and Ron Lafrance for the opening words and welcoming address. Thank you to our presenters, Jason McDonald: “TVR: Who we are, what we do and how we can help you.” Melissa Conners Chamberlain: “Mental Health and how disabilities affect your way of life.” Our Master of Ceremonies, Norman Shawanokasic, also did a presentation on Vocational Rehabilitation. Thank you to our programs for their participation. We had programs from the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and New York State involved in this event. Many thanks for the donations from the local businesses. Swamps Performance donated a car detailing gift certificate, Tarbell Management Group donated (4) $25.00 gift cards to be used at any Bears Den, Tim Horton’s or Heart to Heart Fitness. Sweet Addictions donated a $50.00 gift certificate and Akwesasne Sports donated a Gait Lacrosse Stick. CKON contributed (2) $14.00 bingo packages and 2 bingo daubers while Seneca Select Smoke Shop donated a Fishing Basket full of lures, tackle box and sunglasses. Thank you to the caterers for the delicious traditional meal luncheon you provided everybody. Thank you to the vendors for participating. Lisa Jock brought her essential oils to sell and to inform people on their healing qualities. Michael Ayotte was there to promote his Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture business. We had Charity Lazore bring her products from the company thirty-one. Loretta Smoke vended her beadwork and moccasins. Myra David sold her handmade Native crafts. Abby Mitchell brought her beaded earrings. Charlene “Girlie” Thompson had her accessory collection for sale and we had Cora’s Cupcakes available as well. With an attendance of over 200 people the greatest thank you goes out to the community. The goal of the disability awareness day is to create awareness, not only of how a disability affects a person’s everyday living, but to show the programs and resources available to aid and assist those affected. Our goal at the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Vocational Rehabilitation Program is to help YOU find and keep employment. We help provide the tools to get you in the right path; it’s up to you to use them. Thank you everyone from the community and programs for making this a success, we look forward to seeing you next year!!