CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF THE A’NOWARA’KO:WA ARENA

On Saturday, August 23, the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne’s Department of Economic Development welcomed the community to celebrate a very special milestone — the 30th Anniversary of the A’nowara’ko:wa Arena. It was a day filled with pride, reflection, and community spirit.

The celebration began with Peter Garrow welcoming a parade of athletes, proudly sporting their team jerseys. Grand Chief Leonard Lazore offered heartfelt words in honour of the late Jay Benedict, recognizing the pivotal role he played in the arena’s development. The Benedict family was presented with a commemorative gift — a meaningful token of appreciation for Jay’s lasting legacy. Former Grand Chiefs Mike Mitchell and Russell Roundpoint also shared stories and reflections on the arena’s early development, offering the community a glimpse into the vision and perseverance that brought the facility to life. Feryn King closed out the opening remarks with a vibrant and engaging hoop dance performance.

Outside, families enjoyed an afternoon of fun with carnival-style games, bounce house obstacle courses, disc golf, a balloon pop game, and a photo booth — not to mention cotton candy and other sweet treats. Powerplay Gaming kept youth entertained, while Big Russ catered a delicious lunch for all to enjoy. As a special keepsake, attendees received commemorative 30th anniversary traditional lacrosse keychains and Akwesasne Wild t-shirts — a perfect way to mark the milestone occasion.

Niawenhkó:wa to everyone who joined in the celebration and to MCA’s Department of Economic Development for organizing a memorable event. A special thank you to all staff, volunteers, and community members who contributed to the celebration!