Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

By: Arisawe

August 16, 2014. The day was damp and overcast. It sprinkled a little and at times it rained but it wasn't enough to prevent the food vendors, the craft vendors, the performers, speakers and staff from making those visitors happy that they spent the day at the Native North American Travelling College.

The NNATC is celebrating 40 years since they've opened their doors, or hit the road, to share culture, publications, traditional songs and dance and in the end, their main accomplishment, was to instill pride and raise awareness of who we are.

People from Akwesasne and neighboring communities spent the day looking at crafts and artwork. They tasted some great food as they visited one another under the big tent. They were treated to great performances, too.

Darren Bonaparte was the MC for the day, as one by one, he introduced the day's performers and speakers.

The first one to take the stage was Richard Mitchell who opened the day with the Ohenton Karihwatehkwen. As you may or may not know, it is the tradition of the Hotinonhsonni to acknowledge and give thanks to everything and everyone who is part of the natural world, as instructed by the Creator. We also acknowledge those who live in the sky and beyond, for always living according to their own instructions, knowing that all that lives are touched and connected to our Mother Earth and the Sky Dwellers.

After Richard opened the day, we listened as the Young Bucks and Ratirennenhawi combined to share Hotinonhsonni Social Songs. It was fitting that they shared the Women's Dance first since this song honors the first woman who arrived here from the Sky World, and it is she that provides life and sustenance to all her children including people, waters, fish, medicines, foods, animals, trees and all natural things. Although no one got up to dance, there was a lot of toe tapping in time with the beat of the water drum as the men's voices filled the air in honor of women.

When the men finished their song, Mike Kanentakeron Mitchell was invited to share the 40 year history of the Native North American Travelling College. He spoke of Ernest Benedict, as it was his vision to start the NNATC. Mike, I'm sure, was honored that Ernie had selected him to be part of this great organization. Mike talked about how Ernie would drive this old beat up van to various places, and share books and newsprint that spoke of the truth of who we were as Mohawk people.

Bear Fox performed her own music. She's become very well known for her style of singing. She owns an audience because so many believe that she sings their life, their hopes and their pride. The messages in her songs speak to the values and lessons of being Onkwehonwe.

The audience was then treated to Karonhyawake Jeff Doreen, who hails from Six Nations. If you love Beatles music, as millions of people do, you were in for a treat. Karonhyawake knows all the Beatles songs, but few people have heard it in the way that he shared it on this day. Karonhyawake sings Beatles in Kanienkeha. Everyone was amazed by the fact that this great music was flowing from this man, who seemingly translated the words in to Kanienkeha, effortlessly. It was great to hear.

The Akwesasne Fancy Dancers took to the stage next and their colorful regalia seemed to flow like the rainbow that you see from time to time around the Sun. The dancers were beautiful as their feet lightly touched the Earth with every drumbeat. Feryn King led the girls, and you can see that her teachings are not wasted on her young students. They smiled with pride and so did their families and the audience, as the young women danced in circles. We were also treated to the hoop dance and amazed by the number of hoops Feryn could incorporate into her dance.

More social songs were shared by the Young Bucks and Ratirennenhawi. Still no dancing but you could tell people wanted to. Even our MC couldn't help but bust a move as the men sang "Shake the Bush."

It was nearing the end of the day and with one group of performers left, Richard Mitchell was asked to close the day with the Closing words. He again acknowledged the Natural World and was thankful for the day we shared together and that there was still some music to listen to.

Richard Mitchell opened the day with the Ohenton Karihwatehkwen.

14 Knuckles Later closed out the day. Although many of the people were packing up their tents and visitors made their way to their cars to find their way home, this heavy metal band played on. They are some very talented musicians and if you enjoy this type of music, you should take the time to listen to them if you have the opportunity.

I believe Akwesasne is fortunate to have such a variety of performers, there is something for everyone, and on August 16, 2014, at the NNATC Friendship Day, we had the opportunity to hear all of it.

One more item to note is, the Travelling College has an amphitheater available for those groups who want to have outdoor concerts, theatrical performances or retreats. If an organization wanted to set up a screen to show movies, this would be a perfect place to do it. You should contact the NNATC for more information if you're interested.