Our Community
Our Community
Akwesasne — meaning “Land Where the Partridge Drums” — is a vibrant Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) community with deep ancestral roots along the St. Lawrence River. Its rich landscape of islands, rivers, and forests has supported Mohawk life for countless generations and continues to be a cultural and political stronghold for our people today.
The Kanien’kehá:ka, or “People of the Flint,” are one of the original nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, which translates to the “People of the Longhouse.” As the easternmost nation, the Mohawks are recognized as the Keepers of the Eastern Door.
Long before the arrival of Europeans, the Kanien’kehá:ka lived and thrived in the St. Lawrence River Valley. Akwesasne was one of many long-standing settlements in the region and remains one of the largest Mohawk communities today. Other Mohawk communities include: Kahnawà:ke, Kanesatake, Tyendinaga, Ganienkeh, Kanatsiohareke, Ohswé:ken, and Wahta.
Despite the colonial imposition of borders that now divide Akwesasne between Canada and the United States — and further between the provinces of Ontario and Quebec and the state of New York — the community remains united through shared family ties, language, and culture.
A Living History
Akwesasne's name reflects not only its natural beauty but its legacy. The "drumming" partridge, whose call was once common along the riverbanks, symbolizes the heartbeat of the land — a rhythm that continues to echo through the people. The area has always been a gathering place: a stop for travelers, a site of trade and diplomacy, and a homeland for those who lived by the river's gifts.
Archaeological evidence confirms that Indigenous peoples have long used this region for fishing, hunting, and trade. The Mohawks and other Onkwehón:we — “the Original Peoples” — portaged the Long Sault Rapids, camped on the islands, and built enduring relationships with the land and each other.
In 1755, French Catholic priests established the St. Regis Mission at Akwesasne, though the community’s presence here extends back thousands of years. The current stone church, built in 1795 on what oral history recounts as traditional Mohawk ceremonial grounds, remains one of the oldest buildings in the region. Its location — at the confluence of the St. Lawrence and St. Regis rivers — was both spiritual and strategic, serving as a gathering site and playing a role in historic events such as the War of 1812.
Today, the St. Regis Mission Catholic Church remains a place of worship and reflection, blending Catholic tradition with Mohawk culture. Services and hymns are occasionally offered in the Mohawk language, and the interior features Indigenous art alongside Catholic iconography — a quiet testament to Akwesasne’s resilience, adaptability, and enduring faith.
Akwesasne continues to be a place where tradition, family, and governance intersect — rooted in ancestral knowledge, yet always moving forward.
Haudenosaunee Confederacy
The Haudenosaunee Confederacy, founded by the Peacemaker and Aionwatha (Hiawatha), is one of the world’s oldest participatory democracies. It unites six nations — the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and later, the Tuscarora — under the Great Law of Peace.
Each nation retains its own council and responsibilities, but collectively, the Confederacy works toward peace, unity, and balance. The Mohawks, along with the Seneca and Onondaga, are considered the Elder Brothers within the Grand Council.
Within Haudenosaunee society, clans are a vital part of our identity. They link individuals through shared ancestry, responsibilities, and family ties. As a matrilineal society, clan identity is passed down from mother to child, with women holding key roles within the clan system.
While the Mohawk Nation traditionally has three clans — Bear, Wolf, and Turtle — many Akwesasronon also belong to other Haudenosaunee clans, reflecting our connection to all nations of the Confederacy.
Clans across the Haudenosaunee are associated with one of the natural elements (land, water, or air) and represented by animals or birds. These include:
• Land clans: Bear, Wolf, and Deer
• Water clans: Turtle, Eel, and Beaver
• Air clans: Snipe, Hawk, and Heron
The Confederacy’s symbolism, structure, and values have inspired democratic systems around the world — and continue to guide Haudenosaunee communities in their own governance today.
The People of Akwesasne
The people of Akwesasne — known as Akwesasró:non — maintain a dynamic and living culture. The Kanien’kéha language remains central to identity and is actively taught in schools and through community immersion efforts. As with many Indigenous nations, language, land, and governance are closely linked to spiritual and cultural survival.
There are several commonly used terms that relate to Akwesasne and the Mohawk people, including:
- Kanien’kehá:ka – “People of the Flint” (Mohawk)
- Kanien’kéha – the Mohawk language
- Onkwehón:we – “The Original Peoples”
- Haudenosaunee – “People of the Longhouse,” referring to the Confederacy
While terms like “Iroquois” or “Native American” are still in use, the community increasingly emphasizes language and identity that reflect its own worldview.
Visiting Akwesasne
Akwesasne is a unique community that spans across international and provincial boundaries — with lands in Quebec, Ontario, and New York State. Because of this, travel requirements can feel confusing at first. Here are some helpful tips to make your visit smooth and enjoyable:
Visiting from Ontario:
Kawehnó:ke (Cornwall Island): No passport or ID is required. Travel between Cornwall and Kawehnó:ke is considered domestic. Upon returning to Cornwall, use the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Domestic Lane at the Cornwall Port of Entry — no taxes, duties, or identification required.
Tsi Snaíhne (Snye) or Kaná:takon (St. Regis): These districts are in Quebec but land-locked, meaning they can only be accessed by water or by driving through the U.S. portion of Akwesasne. Travellers from Ontario must pass through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Massena Port of Entry. A valid passport or other approved travel document is required.
Visiting from Quebec:
Travellers coming from Quebec must cross the Canada-U.S. border at Dundee, QC/Fort Covington, NY to access Akwesasne. A passport or other approved travel document is required.
Visiting from New York:
Kawehnó:ke (Cornwall Island): A passport or approved travel document is required to enter Canada via CBSA at the Cornwall Port of Entry.
Tsi Snaíhne (Snye) or Kaná:takon (St. Regis): If you are travelling to Tsi Snaihne or Kana:takon, you may not need to present a passport, but it is highly recommended that you check in with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. For more details, contact the Massena CBP Station at 315-268-7430.
No matter where you’re coming from, Akwesasne welcomes visitors to our community events, businesses, and cultural experiences. We encourage you to explore, learn, and enjoy what our community has to offer.
A Unique Governance Structure
Due to its location, Akwesasne is governed by three distinct but connected political bodies:
- Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs (MNCC): Traditional leaders sanctioned by the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. Chiefs are selected through a traditional, consensus-based process and represent the sovereignty of the Mohawk Nation.
- Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (MCA): The elected government representing the northern portion of Akwesasne (in Ontario and Quebec). MCA includes 12 District Chiefs and one Grand Chief.
- Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe (SRMT): The elected government representing the southern portion of Akwesasne (in New York State). The SRMT Council Council is comprised of three Chiefs and three Sub-Chiefs.
Together, these governments work to serve the needs of Akwesasró:non while preserving the cultural, legal, and political integrity of the community.
Contact Us
Akwesasne — Land Where the Partridge Drums
Email: info@akwesasne.ca
Phone 613-575-2250
Fax: 613-575-2181
Address:
PO Box 90
Akwesasne, Quebec, H0M 1A0
101 Tewesateni Road
Akwesasne, Ontario, K6H 0G5