The Ronathahonni Cultural Center Friendship Days
The Ronathahonni Cultural Centre is located in the district of Kawehno:ke (Cornwall Island) in the Mohawk Community of Akwesasne. The Cultural Centre is located on the beautiful St. Lawrence River.
The cultural centre provides culturally based programming such as cultural presentations and a museum with four major exhibits per year. We also provide cultural resource materials (posters, books, pamphlets) and cultural events including a celebration in August of every year called the Akwesasne Friendship Festival.
The Akwesasne Friendship Festival has something for everyone. From the tiny tot who came to visit the animal farm, crafts for young and old, an art market where native crafts are for sale to entertainment that is culturally based. In 2006, we extended our friendship to other cultures across Canada. We invited the Jocelyn Kahn Enan Egyptian dance troupe including dancers from India and Lebanon, the Montreal Friendship Centre “Tiotiake” big drum singers, The Deer Family Singers and Dancers. We also had a Haudenosaunee dance troupe comprised of people from all nations of the confederacy. They call themselves the “Oknegakdagye” dance troupe. As always, we hosted the Capoeira Porta da Barra, a Brazilian group from Montreal, who demonstrated the martial arts dance form and the audience gladly participated.
The event is always enjoyable, exciting, and educational. It is a fun day for the entire family. This day is important for the People of Akwesasne and their surrounding communities must come to an understanding and begin to form positive relationships. We must combat stereotypes and educate on the importance of our unique lives. At the Akwesasne Cultural Days, there was truly a sharing of cultures and friendship. Promoting understanding and respect is the foundation for the Akwesasne Cultural Days.
The Cultural centre looks forward to August 2007 where again the community and our neighbors can enjoy two days of sharing cultures, good food, fine arts and crafts, and great entertainment. Please contact us at the Ronathahon:ni Cultural Centre at (613) 932 9452 for more information and to book tours.
