The Mohawks of Akwesasne

due(p) to its distinctive geographical location a tenacious the St. Lawrence River, which serves as one of the earthy division lines between Canada and the United States, the mohawk haircuts of Akwesasne gift familiarized themselves to the media and the civic society.Some have called the Mohawks the most stubborn Native Community in North America, non only for (their) enduring commitment to (their) Ancient Mohawk Territories and Resources, but too for the unafraid positions (they) affirm over the Aboriginal Rights of (their) Community and (their) Kahniakehaka (Mohawk) Nation (Akwesasne para. 1). disrespect government intervention (or disturbance) on the affairs of the Mohawk community, they have remained drear in upholding the honor of their autochthonic tribe. The so-called battle for sustainability has been thriving for legion(predicate) decades now.Akwesasne and the MohawksAkwesasne is the home of the Mohawk community. Akwesasne borders the countries of Canada and the U nited States of America, the Candian Province of Ontario and Quebec and the American State of clean York (Akwesasne para. 2). Because of its location, the jurisdiction of this attain is not determined until now. This confusion has caused problems for the 13,000 Mohawks living in Akwesasne, however, they have survived the struggle of adjusting to their jurisdictional condition over the years.As a result, this nonage has considerd to build solid and independent socio- sparing endeavors for their people who ar bestowed with many gifts, talents, knowledge, experience, and expertise in various fields of work and art. Over the past cristal years, dynamic changes have provided this Mohawk community the opportunity to responsibly manage their Infrastructure, Health and Social Services, Judicial and Law Enforcement System, Environment and Conservation, and Housing and economic Initiatives (Akwesasne para. 3).Akwesasne Community ProfileThe Mohawk Territory of Akwesasne is located withi n the Ancient Homelands of (its) Ancestor, which (their) heap have occupied and used since conviction immemorial (Akwesasne para.7). The people are embedded with unexplainable affection to this area composed of approximately 26,000 nation in land mass (about fifty square miles in resume area).Comprised of breathtaking islands, the Mohawk community is located within the glorious St. Lawrence River and mainland contained by the St. Lawrence River Valley. It can be found near major Canadian cities such(prenominal) as Ottawa, Ontario and Monteal, Quebec. There are four inhabited districts in the part including Kanatakon/St. Regis Village and Tsi Snaihe/Chenail Districts (within Quebec), Kawennoke/Cornwall Island District (within Ontario), and Tekaswenkarorens/Hogansburg District (within New York).History of Akwesasne and the MohawksAkwesasne is Mohawk community that in truth deserves the title, First Nation (Bonaparte para. 1). It used to be a place of slumber which served as a s afe haven from war for the early Mohawks and separate indigenous peoples. Formerly the smallest Mohawk village, but today, Akwesasne is already the largest in basis of population and dirt. The Haudenosaunee Confederacy considers Akwesasne the capital of the seven communities that make up the Mohawk Nation (Bonaparte, para 1).The term Mohawk can be literally translated as place of partridges since thousands of a species of game bird are ring the shores of the St. Lawrence River and its tributaries. The first Mohawks and natives of Akwesasne sedulous in hunting, fish, and trading. A certain group by the name St. Lawrence Iroquoians (their identity is still debatable) was believed to have built pillars of longhouse villages found in the rich soil of the St. Lawrence River Valley. According to artifacts, St. Lawrence Iroquoians were captured and hid in a village called Hochelaga which was considered as one with the Mohawk community.Wars followed and the Mohawks fought against the tribes, Hurons and Algonquins, who were under French control during that time. In time more than half of the Mohawk population (which had already been weakened by epidemics and war) migrated to the village on the south bank of the St. Lawrence near the Lachine Rapids (Bonaparte para. 5). They formed a new community which they called Kahnawake (at the rapids) where the Hurons, Algonquins, and early(a) Iroquois converts (converted by the Jesuits) from Oneida and Onondaga united with them.Bonapartes necessitate too focused and expounded on the Seven Nations of Canada as statedIn time the population of these villages grew so large that new ones were established. By the 1750s these villages finally united in an alliance that Mohawks knew as Tsiata Nihononwentsiake, also kn admit as the Seven Nations of Canada, the Seven Fires, and the Seven Villages.When this union was formalized, it consisted of the Mohawks of Kahnawake (Caughnawaga) the Mohawks, Algonquins, and Nippissings of Kanes atake (Oka) the Abenakis of Odanak (St. Francis) in what is now southerly Quebec the Hurons of Wendake (Lorette), just west of Quebec City and the Iroquois (mostly Oneidas and Onondagas) of Sawehkatsi (Oswegatchie), site of present-day Ogdensburg, New York. raze though as many as twenty-two different nations were represent at these new settlements by the early 1700s, they were nevertheless able to maintain a distinct cultural identification as Huron, Algonquin, and Iroquois communities in their own right (para. 6).The cultural model of this new confederacy was the Rotinonsionni (People of the Longhouse,) also known as the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Five Nations, the Six Nations, and the League of the Iroquois (Bonaparte para. 7). Despite strong Jesuit influence over the Mohawks, they have remained a strong folk and have maintained their cultural practices and customs.Relations between the Seven Nations of Canada and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy during the cultivation decade s of the 18th century were contentious thanks to the mad rush of land sales and treaty negotiations that stirred up old animosities and disputes over territory (Bonaparte para. 21). At this time, war broke out causing so a great deal suffering for the people of Akwesasne. Many colonizers tried to change the traditional governing body of the Mohawks but they remained firm and have shunned away these invaders.The last decade of the nineteenth century saw drastic changes in the semipolitical landscape of Akwesasne and the other Mohawk communities, who were still governed by the old life chiefs (Bonaparte para. 22). Non-native governments tried to follow out a new electoral system but these were rejected by the Mohawks to the extent of causing trouble. The life chiefs were punished however, they did not give up hoping that the traditional election would be restored.In spite of these affronts to Mohawk cultural and political sovereignty, the last half of the 19th century witnessed a c ultural rebirth of sorts at Akwesasne and her fellow Mohawk communities (Bonaparte para. 23). This includes the emergence of native products such as Mohawk baskets, beadwork, snowshoes, cradleboards, and the rise of their high-steel construction industry, which gave occupation to the Mohawks. Throughout the early twentieth century the identification of the Mohawk communities with the banner of the Seven Nations of Canada began to wane in favor of that of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, viewed by many as older and purer of the two since it originated long before European contact (Bonaparte para. 25).In the early part of the twentieth century, the Mohawks engaged in exporting liquor from Canada to the United States, which was not as clear-cut as the past centuries because of controlled legislations on liquor transportation. Throughout the last decades of the 20th century, Akwesasne referd to feel the long-term effects of the St. Lawrence Seaway (Bonaparte para.33). The agricultural and fishing industry weakened so the Mohawks were forced to seek greener pastures by running(a) in factories and establishments in big cities in New York. Cultural issues conflicted with this economic stabilization. Mohawks, who moved away from Akwesasne, felt estrangement and have adapted non-Mohawk practices.Present role of the MohawksCurrently, commercialization and expansion of the Mohawks have become prevalent and have changed the lives of these indigenous people in one way or another. Their rich record and cultural heritage may be taken for granted by some but historians and anthropologists who have studied this unique tribe continue to hope that the difference it has made in this world would be comprehended by present-day societies. The remaining Mohawk community is still agile though in promoting and maintaining the culture they have always been accustomed to, which is make them a stronger nation.Works CitedBonaparte, D. n.d. The History of Akwesasane from Pre-Contact to Modern Times. 3 July 2007 .