There is a saying, it takes a whole community to raise a child, and this summer the Ionkwari wa kaien Youth Camp certainly made it so. Through a concerted effort of several programs and the energy and spirit of many, the Ionkwari wa kaien Youth Camp, which ran from August 11 to the 15th, had another successful year. Over 30 children from the ages of 8 to 11 spent five days participating in a variety of activities designed to bring our traditions and customs alive and active.

Each day started with group Team Building activities. Various visiting crafts people, singers, program presenters, filled the week with traditionally based activities; Alicia Cook made plantain salve with the campers, Jessica Danforth and Chelsea Sunday taught the young female campers how to prepare and participated in a sweat lodge, and Mike Loran and John Thomas taught the young male campers how to prepare and participate in a sweat lodge.  Bill and Sharon Loran taught crafts, PJ Burns taught campers how to clean and cook perch, John Thomas taught traditional songs, Tom Cook talked about the traditional teachings, Sarah Herne from ACT NOW taught campers about safe sex and Dave DeerHouse taught the campers how to make splint baskets. Rob White headed two sessions, one on bullying and another on canoeing. To end the week the entire group of campers and counselors traveled to Onchiota where Dave and John Fadden gave an incredible presentation at the Onchiota Museum.  

Kaitlyn Herne, Kenkiokwine Barnes, Tewasherake Barnes, Blake Premo and Rowisonkies Barnes did an incredible job as Junior Camp Counselors as they assisted presenters and teachers. Camp Counselors included Dawn Cree, Andy Thomas, Olivia Cook and Meagan Bushey.

The Ionkwari wa kaien Youth Camp was made possible by the combined efforts of several programs from SRMT and MCA, private foundations and local businesses such as the Wholistic Health and Wellness-Leona Barnes, ACDP-Mel Back, the Akwesasne Community Fund, Akwesasne Convenience Store Association, Brass Horse, Running Strong, SRMT Police-Brian Barnes, Akwesasne Mohawk Police-Rob White and Jordan Tarbell (intern), Dana Skye, ACT NOW-Sarah Herne, and the Akwesasne Restoration Project.