Akwesasne Travel

06/21/2024

National Indigenous Peoples Day is a day of recognition and celebration of the history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis across Canada.

Akwesasne is truly unique Indigenous community. Our people, known as Kanien'kehá:ka, live as one on ancestral land along the St. Lawrence River, where New York State, Ontario and Quebec meet. We have thrived here for centuries despite powerful efforts to displace and divide us. Our determination to restore lifeways, revitalize our language, reclaim lands, retell our stories, and regenerate culture is stronger than ever!

👉🏼 Visit Akwesasne--Authentic and immersive cultural tours hosted by Akwesasronon: https://akwesasne.travel/mohawk-cultural-tours/

👉🏼 Celebrate our future--Join us at the Akwesasne Children's Powwow on Saturday, June 22 at Generations Park in Akwesasne, NY. Hosted by the Native North American Travelling College. Admission is free.
https://www.nnatc.org/new-events/2024-akwesane-childrens-powwow

👉🏽 Get involved--Events celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day across Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/list-events.html?utm_campaign=pch-pch-mhn-bhm-24-25&utm_medium=pog&utm_source=cirnac-isc-nipd&utm_content=list-of-celebrate-activities-en-240517

📸 Krista Loran of Akwesasne holds her child in a cradleboard beaded by her mother, artist Rosebud Cook. Photo by Lavender Lullabies Photo Boutique

06/21/2024

National Indigenous Peoples Day is a day of recognition and celebration of the history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis across Canada.

Akwesasne is truly unique Indigenous community. Our people, known as Kanien'kehá:ka, live as one on ancestral land along the St. Lawrence River, where New York State, Ontario and Quebec meet. We have thrived here for centuries despite powerful efforts to displace and divide us. Our determination to restore lifeways, revitalize our language, reclaim lands, retell our stories, and regenerate culture is stronger than ever!

Visit Akwesasne--Authentic and immersive cultural tours hosted by Akwesasronon: https://akwesasne.travel/mohawk-cultural-tours/

Celebrate our future--Join us at the Akwesasne Children's Powwow on Saturday, June 22 at Generations Park in Akwesasne, NY. Hosted by the Native North American Travelling College. Admission is free.
https://www.nnatc.org/new-events/2024-akwesane-childrens-powwow

Get involved--Events celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day across Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/list-events.html?utm_campaign=pch-pch-mhn-bhm-24-25&utm_medium=pog&utm_source=cirnac-isc-nipd&utm_content=list-of-celebrate-activities-en-240517

Photo: Krista Loran of Akwesasne holds her child in a cradleboard beaded by her mother, artist Rosebud Cook.
📷️ Lavender Lullabies Photo Boutique

06/17/2024

🌞 Here are even more of the many vendors who will be at the Akwesasne Art Market & Juried Show!

Join us at Generations Park on July 6th to shop these arts and crafts, food and beverage, wellness, and apparel vendors:

Heart Berry Creations
Kahnawà:ke Tourism
Steve Jock
MMXVI Collection
Jeannine Lazore and Paula Jacobs
FDTeepeeTreats
Authentic Native
The Essence of Me
Niawen Wellness Spa
Mohawks of Akwesasne Community Settlement Trust
Designs by Sheila
Northern Lights Trading Post
3TK Nutrition

👉🏽 Visit Akwesasne Travel for more information:
https://akwesasne.travel/uncategorized/akwesasne-art-market-and-juried-show/

06/14/2024

📣 We're proud to announce that we’ve added these vendors to the roster for the Akwesasne Art Market & Juried Show on July 6! Stay tuned—we’ll be sharing more in the coming days.

WELCOME!

Dukon Harris
Sunflower Design
I Am Body Goals LLC
Natasha Arquette-Cooke
Tansi Maskwa
Maie Thomas and Honni David
Cabo San Taco
The Pantry Chef
Maggie’s Pies n More
KnH Sports
pig and moo food truck
Katie’s Kakes
Swig of Nature

👉🏼 Visit Akwesasne Travel for more information!
https://akwesasne.travel/uncategorized/akwesasne-art-market-and-juried-show/

06/09/2024

Join Mohawk cultural demonstrations and other presentations at the 1784 Event at Lamoureux Park in Cornwall, Ont. Akwesasne’s Bear Fox performs, and Fire Loom Creations, Chill Baskets, Chrisjohn Arts demonstrate today!

06/03/2024

This weekend, Akwesasne Travel will participate in 1784 - the 240th Anniversary of Cornwall and SDG, being held June 7-9 at Lamoureux Park in The City of Cornwall, Ontario. Just across the St. Lawrence River, the Native North American Travelling College and Akwesasne Travel will team up to host a variety of Mohawk cultural demonstrations and performances.

Come see Bear Fox, Carrie Hill of Chill Baskets, Kelly Back of Fire Loom Creations, and Crystal Henry’s cornhusk doll demo, as well as wood lacrosse stick stringing by Kiowere Rourke and Haudenosaunee social songs by the NNATC travel troupe.

👉🏼 Click the link for the full lineup and schedule!

Celebrate the 240th anniversary of Cornwall and the Royal Townships (today the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, as well as the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville.)

05/23/2024

Explore the ART of Akwesasne! Join us this summer at the Akwesasne Art Market & Juried Show and see the year's best traditional and contemporary works by Mohawk artists on display. Gather your family and friends and make plans to experience Mohawk culture in the North Country!

Saturday, July 6
10 am to 5 pm
Generations Park
Akwesasne, NY

Follow the event page Akwesasne Art Market & Juried Show for details!

Niá:wen | Thank you to our generous partners, sponsors, and contributors:
Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort, NCCS-North Country Colocation Services, Aecon, Alcoa, CKON 97.3, Bear's Den Charitable Foundation, Adirondack Experience—The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, Akwesasne Convenience Store Association, and Seacomm Federal Credit Union.

Featured art: Kit Thomas, "The Weaving of Identity," 2023, acrylic, mixed media and bingo cards, 16 in. x 20 in., Akwesasne, New York. First Place, Mixed Media, 2023 Akwesasne Juried Art Show.
Kit Thomas Art

🔗 Visit https://akwesasne.travel/uncategorized/akwesasne-art-market-and-juried-show/

📷️ on Instagram

The 2024 Akwesasne Art Market & Juried Show is presented by Akwesasne Travel and supported by a grant awarded to the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe by Empire State Development and I LOVE NY/New York State Division of Tourism through the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative.

05/20/2024

Repost American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) | It’s National Travel and Tourism Week! Did you know? Travel serves as a catalyst for a productive U.S. economy and helps power the success of other industries. American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-owned hospitality businesses contribute $15.7 billion in annual sales to the tourism and hospitality sector in the U.S.*

*According to the Economic Impact of U.S. Indigenous Tourism Businesses Report, produced by AIANTA in partnership with Honolulu-based SMS Research

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05/17/2024

Read about Akwesasne’s cultural tours in this weekend’s The Globe and Mail!

“While basketmaker Carrie Hill helps me weave sweetgrass around strips of black ash to make a bookmark, she shares what tourism means for the community. The area gets a lot of negative press because of people trying to cross the border unofficially, she says.

But tourism can help change minds. It is, she says, an “opportunity to shine a positive light on Akwesasne.”

For the seventh edition, Canadian travel writers reveal 10 corners of the country you may not have been to before

05/12/2024

Tekonnonhwerá:tons ne Ka’nisténhsera Akawéntawen! Happy Mother's Day 💐

We are thankful for our Mother, the Earth. She provides all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. She continues to care for us as she has from our beginnings. To our mother, we send greetings and thanks.

From Ohèn:ton Karihwatéhkwen, the Thanksgiving Address.

Just as we honor our Mother Earth, we honor all of our Istas/Moms in the same way.

🗣️ Ista (ee-stah)—Mom

Art: Charlotte King, Akwesasne/[email protected]

05/09/2024

We’re less than 60 days out from the Akwesasne Art Market & Juried Show! Join us on July 6 at Generations Park for this summertime celebration of Mohawk art and culture.

⏳ Still accepting applications for Market Vendors until May 31! Food & Beverage, Art/Craft Makers, Small Businesses, and Organizations are invited to apply.

👉🏽 Here’s the application link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd9BxlmRMwdndZjS8xsEMqc_biNxA6x83VdaRAtsTWr4TWKyw/viewform

05/07/2024

📣 The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association Returns to IPW 2024 & Introduces NativeAmerica.Travel Booking Platform as the $15.7 Billion Indigenous Tourism Industry Grows in the U.S.

Indigenous exhibitors join AIANTA to showcase cultural diversity of U.S. Tourism with at the travel industry’s premier international marketplace and the largest generator of travel to the U.S.

Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/4btFO1Q

U.S. Travel Association Brand USA

05/03/2024

Akwesasne Mohawk entrepreneur and cultural tour supplier Kelly Back of Fire Loom Creations: ““My business wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for social media, because I don’t just get followers within our communities,” Back told CNN. “I get followers and customers in other communities across the world.”

Back extends her global reach through Instagram videos that walk through her production process, showing how she sketches out custom designs on paper before carefully threading beads together using her loom.

Tucked beside the St. Lawrence River in northern New York and straddling the US-Canadian border, the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation has nurtured generations of indigenous artisans.

05/02/2024

The beautiful sound of black ash log pounding--the technique used by members of Akwesasne's storied basket making community to produce splints. Splints are then split several times to reveal the pliable inner layer, ideal for weaving utility and fancy baskets.

Come check out the log pounding demonstrations each Thursday during the month of May at the Akwesasne Cultural Center Museum.

05/01/2024

Thursdays in May—Join in on log pounding demonstrations with members of the SRMT Land Resources Program at the Akwesasne Cultural Center Museum.

05/01/2024

Énska Shiskare!
It's the first day of the month!

Onerahtohkó:wa énska nikahawi.
Today is May 1st.

Hard to believe from the looks of it out there ... but soon fragrant lilacs will be blooming all over Akwesasne, making our Totas smile and attracting bees and butterflies.

🌷 Flowers are a popular design element among Akwesasne artists, from beaders like Niio Perkins Designs, Kaiahtenhtas Thompson, and Small Feather Empire to basket makers Chill Baskets and Dream Weaver Basketry (and even beaded basket makers Stacey Cook and Debbie Cook-Jacobs).

🌸 Designer Kelly Back of Fire Loom Creations incorporates flowers in many of her custom belts. Book her tour, The Art & Beauty of Beaded Belts, and see her stunning work up close. You'll learn to bead your own bracelet on a loom!

🔗 More about Kelly's cultural tour: https://akwesasne.travel/fire-loom/

04/22/2024

The people of Akwesasne approach each day as Earth Day. We give thanks to our Mother Earth for the life-sustaining gifts she provides. We give thanks to the water, the earth, the plants, the sun, and Creator. We have been given the duty to live in harmony with one another and other living things. Read more about the Ohén:ton Karihwatéh:kwen, also known as the Thanksgiving Address, our greeting to the Natural World.

Read the Ohén:ton Karihwatéh:kwen: https://akwesasne.travel/our-stories/thanksgiving-address/

🌿 Immerse yourself in nature with a cultural tour, Gifts From the Land. Spend time in the gardens and herbal tea-tasting room of Snipe Clan Botanicals.
https://akwesasne.travel/plant-medicines-gifts-from-the-land/

📗 Book this tour: [email protected]

04/08/2024

This Monday, April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

Our community falls under the path of totality — with all eyes to Akwesasne’s skies, make sure you’re prepared for this special celestial event!

The eclipse will begin at 2:12 p.m. and will end at 4:35 p.m. The path of totality (total darkness) will occur from 3:24:52 p.m. to 3:27:30 p.m.

Please remember that solar eclipse glasses must be worn throughout the entire 2.5 hour eclipse event to avoid permanent eye damage. Glasses can be removed only during the short period of totality but please do so with caution and replace glasses prior to the sun re-emerging.

Please also be prepared for greater numbers of visitors to, or through, our community. Thousands of visitors are expected to flock to the Adirondacks to be part of this special event and moment in history.

SAFETY REMINDERS
1. Use eye protection when looking at the sun throughout the eclipse event.
2. If traveling to a remote area (such as the Adirondacks) for viewing, ensure you are equipped with food, water, medications and emergency items in the event of unexpected traffic delays.
3. Avoid parking on roadsides; find a safe place for viewing.
4. Plan for high volumes of traffic to or through Akwesasne.
5. Have a plan for communication with family in the event that cell towers are overloaded.
6. Enjoy this once in a lifetime event.

04/05/2024

On Monday, April 8, 2024, people across a large swath of the United States will experience a total solar eclipse. For many, it will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. For the Indigenous peoples of North America, it will be one of many solar eclipses that have been witnessed by their people since ti...

04/05/2024

The Great North American Solar Eclipse is just days away! Akwesasne will have a spectacular view on April 8th—our Mohawk community along the St. Lawrence River lies within the 100-mile wide path of totality.

👉🏽 Akwesasne will experience the eclipse between 2-4:30 pm. Totality occurs at approximately 3:25 pm.

👉🏽 Akwesasne could see increased traffic along NY-37 as Adirondack Park expects an influx of visitors heading to the mountains for this once-in-a-lifetime event.

👉🏽 Should you choose to watch the eclipse, be sure to protect your eyes by wearing only ISO-certified eclipse glasses. Do not use glasses if they are damaged in any way!

👉🏽 Do not look at the Sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars or any other optical device while wearing eclipse glasses.

🚫 Avoid roadside viewing to keep emergency routes open.

🙌🏽 Enjoy this historic event safely!

❓ What are your plans for Eclipse Day?

🌅 Art by Victoria Ransom of Akwesasne. Used with permission from the artist.

04/04/2024

Coming up on April 11--Discover the power and possibilities of Indigenous Tourism!

Akwesasne Travel, in partnership with Indigenous Tourism Ontario and RTO 9, invites Akwesasró:non to re-imagine tourism as something possible, beneficial and achievable!

This free workshop takes place Thursday, April 11th at Native North American Travelling College from 4-6 pm. Come share a meal and get inspired!

✅️ Who should attend? Any community member who wants to participate in Akwesasne's tourism economy!

✅️ Registration is appreciated but not required. Email [email protected] for more information.

04/01/2024

Énska Shiskare!
It's the first day of the month!

Onerahtó:kha énska nikahawi.
Today is April 1st.

We're happy to notice the tiny buds on our trees, a welcome sign of spring! Before long, Akwesasne and the rest of the Seaway Valley/North Country will return to its verdant glory.

Akwe:kon enska entewahwe'nón:ni ne onkwa’nikon:ra tanon teiethinonhwerá:ton ne ohonte’shón:'a, tsi shonkwaienthó:wi, tanon okwire’shón:'a.

🌿 We bring our minds together as one and give thanks to the grasses, all plant life, and the trees.

🔗 Read the Ohén:ton Karihwatékwen, our traditional greeting to all elements of creation: https://akwesasne.travel/our-stories/thanksgiving-address/

03/28/2024

📣 Mohawk artists of Akwesasne! Planning to apply for the Akwesasne Juried Art Show? Don’t miss out—the deadline to apply is March 31. Niá:wen to all artists who have already applied!

Due to office closure for Family Day on Friday, March 29, application fees will be accepted until end of Monday, April 1.

Let us showcase your best work of the year at the Akwesasne Art Market & Juried Show on July 6 at Generations Park! Prizes will be awarded to winners across 12 categories and Best in Show.

🎨 Categories:
2D Drawing
2D Painting
2D Mixed Media & 2D Abstract
New Media
Cultural Diverse Art
Beadwork & Quillwork
Pottery, Sculpture, Carving & Woodwork
Utility Baskets
Fancy Baskets
Traditional Wear
Contemporary Clothing & Accessories
Quilts & Wovens

👉🏽 Reminders:
-Artwork does not need to be completed until July 1, 2024. The application simply expresses your intent to enter the Juried Show.
-Payment may be made in-person or online by debit/credit card.

Application link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd9BxlmRMwdndZjS8xsEMqc_biNxA6x83VdaRAtsTWr4TWKyw/viewform?pli=1

More about the Akwesasne Art Market & Juried Show:
https://akwesasne.travel/events/2024-art-market-announced/

Event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/3768136633454103/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[]%7D

Questions?
[email protected]
518-358-4238

📸 2023 award winner Victoria Ransom. Inset: Fancy basket by Emily King. Photo: Jaiden Mitchell Films for Akwesasne Travel.

03/27/2024

ICYMI—Kiawentiio, Akwesasne Mohawk actor and star of Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender, made a recent appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show. She donned a pair of beaded earrings and ring by artist Karen Francis of Akwesasne. Here’s more about them!

👉🏽 Follow and K.francisbrand

👉🏽 Francis took Best in Show at last summer’s Akwesasne Art Market & Juried Show. Check out her winning piece and more at https://akwesasne.travel/uncategorized/akwesasne-art-market-and-juried-show/.

03/27/2024

❓️ Did you know?

Traditional lacrosse stick maker Louie Mitchell is a double hall of famer!

Louie's glorious career was recognized in 2010 when he was inducted into the Akwesasne Lacrosse Hall of Fame as a member of the national championship team Akwesasne Warriors, and as a player in 2015. The Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame honored his career contributions when he was inducted in 2019.

Today Louie is handcrafting traditional wooden lacrosse sticks at his workshop in Akwesasne. During his tour, From Log to Lacrosse Stick, visitors are guided through the various stages of manufacturing--from log splitting to bending to carving.

Tour inquiries:
[email protected]

🔗 See for yourself how traditional "woodies" are made!
https://akwesasne.travel/traditional-lacrosse-stick-making/

🎬️ Louie in action:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGRaXayXjC8

03/26/2024

Mohawk artists of Akwesasne: The March 31 deadline to apply for the Akwesasne Juried Art Show is fast approaching! Let us showcase your best work of the year on July 6. Prizes will be awarded to winners across 12 categories and Best in Show.

Reminders:
-Artwork does not need to be completed until July 1, 2024. The application simply expresses your intent to enter the Juried Show.
-Payment may be made in-person or online by debit/credit card.

Application link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd9BxlmRMwdndZjS8xsEMqc_biNxA6x83VdaRAtsTWr4TWKyw/viewform?pli=1

More about the Akwesasne Art Market & Juried Show:
https://akwesasne.travel/events/2024-art-market-announced/

Event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/3768136633454103/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[]%7D

Questions?
[email protected]
518-358-4238

📸 2023 award winners Katsitsionni Fox and Tsionenhariio Swamp. Inset: beaded leather backpack by Anna Thompson. Photo: Jaiden Mitchell Films for Akwesasne Travel.

03/20/2024

Ziigwan, Spring - a time of renewal and rebirth. It is a time for new beginnings and signifies awakenings. As the snow begins to melt, animals come out of hibernation, geese flock back to their home lands, and maple syrup begins to run. As we prepare for the beginning of a new cycle, let us reflect on the past and how we can move forward, a time to let go and start a fresh new year.

What Indigenous tourism experiences and destinations will you visit this Spring?

03/19/2024

We made it through another winter! It's springtime in Akwesasne. The earth is waking up 🌿

⛈️ Soon we'll be greeting Ratiweras-the Thunder Beings and expressing gratitude for washing the earth of disease, for replenishing our waters, providing water for our gardens, and quenching our thirst.

🔗 Experience the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) creation story through iconic art and imagery with "The Akwesasne Mohawks: A Cultural Tour."
https://akwesasne.travel/a-cultural-tour/

For inquiries, contact (518) 358-4238 or [email protected].