Dating back as early as the 12th century, the Mohawk Valley has been home to the Kanienkehaka ("People of the Flint or Mohawk), who are themselves members of the Iroquois Confederacy of Nations or Haudenosaunee (Longhouse), and it was the conflicts that took place in the 1700's which came with the European peoples that sent the Kanienkehaka from their lands; their villages and the resting places of their ancestors.
But our people always knew that there would come a day when we would return to the Mohawk Valley, and this prophesy was foretold many times throughout the decades, which turned into centuries. Then in the 1990's, while in the midst of troubled times, when many people were suffering the devastating effects of alcohol and all the problems that come with it, a new path was cleared for our return to this place where our ancestors lay to rest. A new hope was realized in the hearts and minds of our elders who saw a path back to our home.
Below is a Youtube video filmed in 2009 with Ionataiewas (Kay Olan) that explains some of what the Kanastiohareke Mohawk Community is all about. Kay is a recipient of the 2009 Jigonsaseh Women of Peace Award for her continuing efforts to promote peace through education of Haudenosaunee culture, values, language and tradition.
"Kanatsiohareke: Traditional Mohawk Indians Return to Their Ancestral Homelands"
This book is a new release, written by Tom Sakokwenionkwas Porter with a foreword by the late John C. Mohawk (Seneca), a respected scholar & historian who taught at the University at Buffalo until his passing in December 2006.
Haudenosaunee and Mohawk chapters were contributed by Kayeneseh Paul Williams & Doug George-Kanentiio, with an epilogue by Kay Ionataiewas Olan. Published by Bowman Books, Greenfield NY.
A must read for anyone wanting to know the story of the Kanatsiohareke Mohawk Community.
Kanatsiohareke, Inc is a non-profit organization under IRS Code 501c(3). Donations are tax deductible as permitted by law.
