Protecting the Future Generations
As parents and teachers arrived, I hurried back to the front class room
where the meeting was to take place. We
sat at round tables or along the walls on beautiful handmade pine benches.
The meeting was opened with the recitation of the Ohen:ton Karihwatehkwen
(Words before all Else), which is also known as the Thanksgiving Address.
The Thanksgiving Address serves as a foundation for the school’s
curriculum, which is based on living one’s life in a manner that shows respect
and thankfulness to all of creation.
Everyone was expected to recite, in Mohawk, a
section of the Thanksgiving address. Elvera
Sargent explained that every day the students open the day, as we did that day,
each taking a turn and reciting the address in Mohawk.
There were a few people who needed help during the address and the
teachers helped them say the words.
When my turn came, I was a little nervous.
I did not want to make a mistake. However,
because the room was filled with such love and respect, my fear melted away.
I was handed a piece of paper written in Mohawk that gave thanks to Grand
Mother Moon. I struggled with some
of the words, but was able to complete the task.
The importance of parents and extended family taking an active role in
the education of the children is stressed at the school. Parents, who do not
speak Mohawk, are encouraged to learn the language.
Speaking the language at home and attending the ceremonies with our
little ones not only strengthens the experience of the children, it strengthens
the school and our culture for the future generations yet born.
Sakokwenionkwas spoke about how the freedom school began. He said that in the early 1970s, parents began to become increasingly concerned that their children were losing their language and culture. The parents were also concerned with incidences of racism and the quality of education their children were receiving.
Sakokwenionkwas said that, “concerned parents put their Good Minds together looking for a solution.” He said that one of the people really working towards getting a school started was his, now deceased aunt, Ann Jock. Sakokwenionkwas’ eye’s twinkled and a smile came over his face as he remembered the devotion his aunt had for protecting Haudenosaunee culture and the future generations.
Ann Jock built, behind her
house, a building. This building
became the
Soon after, in 1979, the Mohawk Nation, concerned community members, and
parents opened the
The school holidays are in correlation with the Kanien’keha:ka Aohsera (Mohawk Ceremonial Year). During the school year there are 15 traditional ceremonies: Midwinter, Dead Feast, Tobacco Burning, Maple Tree, Thunder Dance, Medicine Mask, Seed-Planting, Strawberry, Raspberry, Beans, Green Corn, Harvest, Thunder Dance, Dead Feast, End of Season. The children may not go into the formal classroom during these days, but they are expected to go to the Longhouse and attend the ceremonies, which through participation is an active way to learn about one’s culture.
The
The
Quilts are made by the parents, societies like the Akwesasne Women Singers, and there are some off reservation groups and individuals who donate quilts. This past year there was a big beautiful quilt with peace as the theme. I was high bidder on a smaller full sized quilt made with red calico fabric. I found out later that it was quilted by my cousin Elizabeth Perkins who is also one of the teachers at the school. I now have the quilt draped over my sofa in my home.
The silent auction was also fun. People could bid on traditional style clothing, artwork, baskets, and numerous items made and/or donated by the community. I cannot wait for the next quilt auction. If you are in the area for next year’s quilt and silent auction, stop by and participate in this worthy fundraising event.
The
The students, being steeped in their traditional teachings, are environmentally conscious with a deep respect for the community and all of creation. The teachers, parents, and administration have developed curriculum, events, and programs that promote the students to positively interact with the community and the Natural World.
While education does take place in the classroom, the students learn the
basics like math, and social studies, etc.; the
The
The student’s also won first place in the Akwesasne Task Force on the Environment’s (ATFE) Annual Roadside Cleanup. The student’s, supervised by parents and teachers gathered the most trash. Ultimately, we all win by the efforts of the students and other teams who picked up trash during the one day event.
Recently, the students planted 3000 trees in an effort to create a
forest. The forest will be on
The students planted a variety of trees. They planted black ash, white ash, swamp oak, black walnut, red oak, maple, hickory, silver maple, white cedar, and white pine trees. Lessons were developed to teach the students about the importance of trees within the ecosystem and culturally.
A few weeks ago the students learned from Dean George how to pound a
black ash log. The students each
took a turn at pounding the log. They
learn at the
Last year students learned how to tap maple trees. They tapped trees, and then they watched the process of how maple syrup is made. Lessons surrounding the tree tapping included cultural lessons and medicinal uses.
The
The school does not receive any federal or
state funds. Donations are always
appreciated. Donations are also tax
deductible. If you would like to
help the school or want more information please contact: Elvera Sargent at Bela@westelcom.com
Friends of the
Akwesasne
Phone # (518) 358-2073
E-mail: Bela@westelcom.com
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Copyright ©2003 Barbara Gray (Kanatiiosh)