T-Mobile announced Akwesasne as one of its latest 25 Hometown Grant recipients. The $49,428 grant will go towards installing four Haudenosaunee Smoke Dancer sculptures in the newly developed Sken:nen Park along the St. Regis River to pay tribute to Akwesasne's cultural heritage. The art installation will give much life to the developing park space, a revitalization initiative that began pre-covid, led by the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe's cultural tourism division – Akwesasne Travel. The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe worked with local artist and storyteller, David Kanietakeron Fadden on the initial concept for the Smoke Dance sculptures, which feature artwork of all mediums from over 20 Akwesasne artisans. They include Kelly Back, Barbara Benedict, Ben Benedict, Yvette White-Cook, Jenny David, Joseph Francis, Patricia Francis, Peter Francis, Mark Light, Delia Mc Donald, Rita Mc Donald, Sheila Ransom, Lynn Roundpoint, Dyan Swamp, Delia Terrance, Ashley Thompson, Tracey Thompson and Denise White (in memory of).

The Smoke Dance Sculptures were unveiled at the Inaugural Akwesasne Art Market & Juried Show in July 2022.

Launched in April 2021, T-Mobile Hometown Grants is a $25 million, five-year initiative to support the people and organizations who help small towns across America thrive and grow by providing funding to kickstart vital community development projects. Since the program's start, T-Mobile has given more than $6.8 million dollars to 150 communities across 41 states, including Akwesasne. The initiative has even led to an additional $2 million in matching funds by other local resources, and more than 12,000 volunteer hours.

Smoke Dance Sculptures include local artists' work infused on the art pieces.

Across the state, the T-Mobile Hometown Grants program has provided $125,000 in funding to three other cities, including Arcade, Potsdam and Poughkeepsie.

T-Mobile awards Hometown Grants each quarter for up to 25 towns with a population of less than 50,000 people. Anyone with a vision for how to make their community even stronger than it is today can apply.

Hometown Grants are part of the Un-carrier's massive 5-year commitment announced in April 2021 to bring 5G to rural America, open hundreds of new stores and support economic development in small towns by providing $25 million in funding.