Blueway Trail

Blueway Trail. Kanienʼkehá꞉ka - "People of the Flint". AKWESASNE CULTURAL CENTER-MUSEUM Giving thanks is the central meaning expressed in Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) culture. 321 State Route 37, Akwesasne, NY 13655 518-358-2461

As is customary among our people, we begin each meeting or gathering with the Ohen:ten Kariwatekwén, or Thanksgiving Address. following is an example for the words spoken by Kanien'kehá:ka and other members of the Iroquois Confederacy to acknowledge all the elements of creation, such as the People, the Earth, the Plants, the Three Sisters, the Waters, the Animals, the Trees, the Birds, the Winds, the Thunderers, the Sun, the Moon, the-Stars, the Four Beings and the Creator and to say thank you. At the end of each meeting, we close with similar words.

This is an important message to share with all people - we need to care for the gifts that we have been given, and remain thankful that they still continue to provide for our needs. Feel free to read these words to give your thanks. Akwé:kon énska entitewahwe'nón:ni ne onkwa'nikòn:ra tánon teiethinonhwará:ton ne OHNEKA'SHÓN:'A, kaniatara'kó:wa, kaniataráhere, tánon kahnekarónnion ionkwaha'tanawénhstha tánon enskarà:kewe ne wahétkens ká:ien ne ohontsiá:ke...eh ká:ti niiohtónhak ne onkwa'nikón:ra. [All of us as one gather together our minds and greet the WATERS, oceans, lakes, and all water that quenches our thirst and wipes away the bad that exists on the earth...now our minds are one.]

English / Mohawk Glossary of Place Names: Akwesasne "Where the Partridge Drums" Akwé:kon énska entitewahwe'nón:ni ne onkwa'nikòn:ra tánon teiethinonhwará:ton ne KENTSION'SHÓN:AH Ne wáhe kionkhiiá:wis ne ka'satsténhsera ne tóhsa aetewatonhkáriak... eh ká:ti niiohtónhak ne onkwa'nikón:ra. [We bring our minds St. Regis River / Akwesasne land where the partridge drums St. Regis Village / Kanátakon in the village together as one and give thanks for FISH. They give us strength so we don't go hungry...now our minds are one.] Akwesasne is committed to ensuring that the traditions of our ancestors continue to be passed down to future generations. Starting in the mid 180os, both the United States and Canada built Residential Schools as part of a concerted policy to take language and culture away from the Native people of this continent. Religious institutions often administered the schools. By taking children out of their homes and communities, the state and religious officials imposed their own culture and language onto Native people in hopes of full assimilation into White society. Their efforts succeeded in greatly diminishing the number of people who speak the languages and practice the cultures Native to this continent. Long Sault Rapids / Karó:kwi something ragged SOME EVERYDAY WORDS TO LEARN: St. Lawrence River / Kaniatarowá:nenneh big river Shé:kon (SAY goo) Hello Onenki'wáhe (OH nah) See You Later Niá:wen (neeAH wuh) Thank You Cornwall Island / Kawennokowanén:ne Big Island and/or Kawehno:ke' the Island "Mohawk” is not a Mohawk word! The Mohawk language does not have "M's." lóh (yoh) You're Welcome Kanien'kehá:ka is the original name for the Mohawk people. It is pronounced Gaw nee ent gay HA gaw, and it means "People of the Flint."

Today there are a variety of classes for all ages to work towards a better understanding of the Kanien'kehá:ka language and culture. © Designs by Victoria Ransom and Bruce Boots. Salmon River / Kenstiakowá:hne place of the big fish The Mohawk language is called Kanien'kéha. It is pronounced Gaw nee ont GAY ha.

Raquette River / Nihahnawá:te rapidly moving water Hogansburg / Tekaswenkaró:rens place where the boards are split (sawmill) ST-REGIS MOHAWKCHOO Grasse River / Tsiionhontakwá:tha where grass is picked Where the Raquette River meets the St. Lawrence River/ Tsitekahneká:khen where the waters meet Visit the cultural centers in Akwesasne for more information and to fully Experience Akwesasne! Akwesasne is one of the most vibrant and creative territories in the Six Nations. There are many Akwesasne Mohawk artists, actively making art on every level. Their work can be found in venues ranging from international exhibitions to craft fairs. A visit to Akwesasne should definitely include a trip to the Akwesasne Museum and the Native North American Traveling College to gain understanding on the cultural meaning of Kanien'kehá:ka arts, including beadwork, basketry, pottery, painting and carvings. A selection of community artisans' work is for sale in their gift shops. NATIVE NORTH AMERICAN TRAVELING COLLEGE 1 Ronathahón:ni Lane, Akwesasne, ON K6H 5R7, Canada 613-932-9452 Students from the Mohawk Language Lab (top); and the Akwesasne Freedom School in the 1980s (bottom). ??