Beyond Boundaries - Native Awareness Project

beyond boundaries

building lasting and just relationships across cultural and class boundaries

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Upcoming Events

ANNUAL PICNIC

Saturday

September 27, 2008

3:00 pm

340 Midland Avenue

(Aggie Lane’s house)

All Are Welcome

Please bring a dish to share and a lawn chair, RSVP to Aggie

at 315-478-4571

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BB Booth at Westcott Street Cultural Fair

Sunday

September 21, 2008

11 am – 7pm

Westcott Street,

University area, Syracuse

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Come to

BB’s FIRST MEETING

To get information on our 2008-2009 Project

Sunday

October 19, 2008

4 – 6pm

Brady Faith Center

404 South Ave, Syracuse

View our full 2008 - 2009 Calendar here.

Awareness Trip: The Native Project

The Mohawk

and Algonquin Nations

It was fun. It was interesting and it was special. All my life I have had an interest in other cultures, history’s and lifestyles. This trip, led by BB’s Algonquin member Terry Steele, proved fascinating to me on these levels, and I treasure one very special meeting that I will discuss later. I loved having my eight-year old niece, Sara, along on the trip. Listening to her

2007 Native Awareness Trip—In Ottawa

question things with the enthusiasm of youth. She and Brooke, the other young traveler, helped me at various times during the trip find my lost youth, and my lost patience.

Our initial stop was with the Mohawks of Akwesasne, where some of us camped and enjoyed the outdoor air. While there, we had the opportunity to visit the local museum where my newfound interest in Native American music was born. Later we visited the Freedom School and Longhouse, and learned about the wonderful ways in which the immersion of native language keeps a people’s culture and hopes alive. Sara (as well as some adults) loved playing in the schoolyard and asked some very insightful questions about being a student there.

BB members making birch bark baskets with Algonquin master weaver Pinock.

Moving on to Ottawa, we literally immersed ourselves in the outstanding First Peoples exhibit at the Museum of Civilization. LeeAnn Martin-Hurdy, Terry’s relative and museum curator, gave a wonderful tour which covered centuries of artifacts, literature, historical and modern art. Both Sara and Brooke enjoyed a children’s section where they

received a passport and traveled the world. We also stopped at the Aboriginal Experience on Victoria Island, an old Algonquin trading center in the middle of the Ottawa River. Here, we enjoyed presentations by Native youth sharing their history and culture through stories and dance, followed by a Native lunch.

We then drove to Terry’s hometown of Maniwaki, Quebec, to enjoy three days and four nights of cultural perspective that resonated with everyone. At Kitigan Zibi Anishinbeg Cultural Education Centre, Algonquin children drummed and sang while others danced the hoop dance and traditional women dances. Also, we saw unique photos of the U.S. Calvary’s Massacre of the Lakotas at Wounded Knee, South Dakota. At Algonquin leader William Commanda’s home, Jose Whiteduck led us in a sunrise service overlooking a lake that ended with a blessing of the water. Afterwards, ‘Grandfather Commando,’ who at the age of a 93 year and is known worldwide, spoke of racial peace and diversity and his dream of establishing Victoria Island as an international and diverse culture center. His talk was mesmerizing.

Terry also introduced us to her ‘cousin’ Pinock, a man blessed with the gift and ability to share his oral history and physically show us his craft of canoe building. Best of all he allowed each and every one of us to make a basket from scratch, (Sara made one for her Grandmothers birthday) using the bark of the birch tree and the roots of the spruce tree. Personally, I will never look at a handmade basket without more curiosity and depth again. We enjoyed meeting his pig Jambon (weighing over 600 lbs!) and spending the next day relaxing at his home and listening to his experience of Native American life. I would encourage everyone to enjoy this wonderful experience with family and friends.

- Melody Holmes