Kanatsiohareke facts for kids
Kanatsiohareke (pronounced Gah-nah-jo-ha-lay-gay) is a special community of the Mohawk nation, also known as the Kanienkahaka people. It is located on the north bank of the Mohawk River in New York, west of Fonda, New York. The name "Kanatsiohareke" means "The clean pots." This name comes from an older Mohawk town called Canajoharie, which was one of the main Mohawk towns in 1738.
This community was started in September 1993 by Thomas R. Porter, also known as Sakokwenionkwas ("The One Who Wins"). Its main goal is to teach and preserve the Mohawk language and culture. It's like a "reverse" boarding school, where instead of losing their culture, young people learn about their heritage. Kanatsiohareke is built on the ancient homeland of the Mohawk people.
Why Was Kanatsiohareke Created?
Kanatsiohareke was created to help the Mohawk people keep their traditions alive. For many years, Native American children were sent to boarding schools that tried to make them forget their language and culture. Kanatsiohareke does the opposite. It teaches the Mohawk language, customs, and ways of life.
The community works to preserve traditional values, culture, and language. They follow the Kaienerekowa, which means the Great Law of Peace. This is a set of rules and principles that guide the Mohawk people.
How Kanatsiohareke Works
Kanatsiohareke is a non-profit organization. This means it doesn't make money for private owners. Instead, any money it earns goes back into supporting its mission. The community needs to raise its own money to operate.
They do this by holding many different events. These include cultural presentations, workshops, and academic events. One popular event is their annual Strawberry Festival. There is also a craft shop on site. This shop sells real handmade Native crafts from all over Turtle Island (North America), which is another name for North America.
About Thomas R. Porter
Thomas R. Porter was a very important leader in the Mohawk Nation. He was a member of the Bear Clan from the Mohawk Nation at Akwesasne. Akwesasne is a Mohawk territory that crosses the border between Canada and the United States.
Porter's vision helped create Kanatsiohareke. He wanted to make sure that the Mohawk language and traditions would continue for future generations. His work helped establish a place where Mohawk culture could thrive and be celebrated.
