Mohawk Council of Akwesasne

08/25/2026

MCA FALL FESTIVAL — VENDOR CALL OUT
The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne is seeking local vendors, businesses, artisans, entertainers, organizations, and service providers to participate in our upcoming MCA Fall Festival!

Join us for a fun-filled community event featuring fall-inspired activities, live entertainment, family-friendly fun, and delicious food. This event will be open to the public and is a great opportunity to showcase your products, services, or talents while connecting with community members and visitors.

📅 Saturday, October 10, 2026
🕙 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
📍 A’nowara’ko:wa Arena

PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITIES
We welcome vendors and participants offering:
• Petting zoo experiences
• Hayrides
• Games and prizes
• Inflatables
• Face painting
• Community vendor booths
• Food trucks
• Craft vendors
• Food vendors, including pretzels, apple cider, donuts, popcorn, cotton candy, candied fruit, hot dogs, fried dough, and more
• Cultural entertainment, including dancers and singers
• Mascots
• Mobile movie theatre services
• Hair braiding
• Fall decorations, including mums, corn stalks, hay, pumpkins, and more
• Tent, table, and chair rentals

INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING?
For more information or to express your interest, please contact:
Coree Phillips, Employee Relations Officer
📧 [email protected]
📞 613-575-2250 ext. 2153

When reaching out, please include your organization or business name, services or activities offered, and any space or equipment requirements.

Deadline to respond: Friday, September 4, 2026

We look forward to bringing the community together and celebrating the fall season with you!

08/25/2026

OVS CLOSED AUGUST 26
Please be advised that the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne’s Office of Vital Statistics (OVS) will be closed on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, for staff professional development training.

Regular hours will resume at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 27, 2026.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.

08/25/2026

TSIIONKWANONHSO:TE SEEKING DONATIONS: HELP MAKE ELDERS SHOPPING DAY SPECIAL
Tsiionkwanonhso:te Long-Term Care is seeking donations to help make an upcoming free Elders Shopping Day a special experience for residents of both Tsiionkwanonhso:te and Iakhihsohtha Lodge.

The event will provide Elders with an opportunity to browse and choose items at no cost, including clothing, accessories, and other unique finds.

🛍️ Items requested include:
• Winter coats
• Hats & gloves
• Sweaters, sweatshirts & shirts
• Pants
• Socks
• Costume jewelry
• Purses
• Watches
• Unique items

Donations can be dropped off with Diane Lazore, Recreation & Leisure Supervisor, at Tsiionkwanonhso:te from August 28–September 4, between 12:00–4:00 p.m.

Your donations will help bring a little extra joy to our Elders and give them an opportunity to choose something special for themselves. Nia:wen for helping make this event possible!

For questions or more information, please call 613-932-1409 ext. 3.

08/25/2026

BELT WEAVING CLASS SERIES FULL

The Fox & Forest Studio Belt Weaving Class Series is now full. Nia:wen/thank you to those who have registered.

Individuals who have emailed will be contacted to confirm their attendance and participation.

For any questions or more information, please call 613-575-2341 ext. 3115.

08/25/2026

Getting excited for the kids show! Save the Date...September 19, the kids take the runway!!

08/25/2026

CELEBRATING STRENGTH & SOBRIETY:
DAWN SMOKE

For National Addictions Awareness Week, MCA’s Mental Health & Wellness Services is honouring Akwesasne community members who have chosen sobriety — their courage and commitment inspire us all! Each day, we’ll spotlight a local hero who reminds us that recovery is possible and worth celebrating.

Today’s Spotlight: Dawn Smoke

“I didn’t plan to be a girl who struggled. I wasn’t trying to fit in or escape anything in particular. I just got lost somewhere along the way. I started using in high school. What began as curiosity turned into a habit and before I knew it was running my life.

I lied. I hid things and I pushed away the people who loved me most. I wasn’t always a bad person I was just hurting in ways I didn’t know how to fix. I was a good mom even in the middle of my addiction. My son has always been heart, my reason, my biggest motivation to keep going in when I felt like giving up.

There were consequences, pain mistakes, and years I can't get back. but there was also a turning point, the moment I got tired of hurting myself and everyone around me.

Getting sober wasn’t easy. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done. But, every day I choose this life for me, for my son, and for the future I’m building. I’m not perfect, but I’m real. I’m in recovery and I’m proud of the woman I’m becoming. If my story can give someone else hope, then every part of my past was worth it. Sober is where I found me."

Nia:wen/Thank you, Dawn, for leading by example and choosing a life of sobriety. Your journey lights the way for others!

Let’s celebrate resilience, hope, and healing together. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories throughout the week as we highlight more sobriety stories for the Akwesasne community!

08/25/2026

♻️ E-WASTE DRIVE: RECYCLE YOUR UNWANTED ELECTRONICS
Have old or unwanted electronics taking up space? The MCA Environment Program is hosting upcoming E-Waste Drives, giving community members an opportunity to responsibly dispose their unwanted electronics and help keep e-waste out of our landfills.

📍 Kawehno:ke | CIA #3
📅 August 25-27, 2026

🕘 Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
♻️ How: Drop off your items in the designated e-waste container.

Accepted items include:
• Computers, laptops, TVs, etc.
• Small household appliances (microwaves, coffee makers, etc.)
• Printers, cameras, wired accessories (cords, plugs, chargers, etc.)
• Cell phones, tablets, MP3 players, etc.
• Car batteries

Items not accepted include:
• White goods (refrigerators, freezers, A/C units)
• Lightbulbs
• Lithium ion batteries

🔐 Before recycling, please ensure that all devices have been wiped of personal information and that SIM cards have been removed.

Limited in-home pickup spots are available for Elders and individuals with limited mobility. To sign up for in-home pickup or for more information, please email [email protected].

08/24/2026

📣Save the date!📣

AMS, Tsi Snaihne and Kanata:kon School student orientations will be held at YOUR SCHOOL on September 8th, 2026 from 12:30-3:00 PM.

➡Meet your students teacher(s)
➡Meet the school Principal, Associate Principal (AMS/TSS), Admin, support staff, bus drivers, bus monitors, and more!
➡Tour your students school and classroom(s)
➡Finalize any paperwork and bussing information
➡Apply for ARAP's Winter Clothing Initiative

We are SO excited to see you!

08/24/2026

UPDATE: Registration for the Belt Weaving Class Series is now closed and we are no longer accepting sign-ups. Nia:wen to all those who registered!

UPDATE: Registration for the Belt Weaving Class Series is now closed and we are no longer accepting sign-ups. Nia:wen to all those who registered!
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LAND-BASED HEALING: FULL BELT WEAVING CLASS SERIES WITH FOX & FOREST STUDIO
The MCA Department of Health's Land-Based Healing Program is proud to partner with Fox & Forest Studio to present a Full Belt Weaving Class series with instructors Elisha King and Kakwireiosta Hall.

Participants will learn to create their own design, set up their project, and weave a belt in the open warp face style.

Participants MUST be able to commit to all three weekends.

The Full Belt Weaving Class series dates are as follows:
• September 19–20 | 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• September 26–27 | 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• October 24–25 | 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

All class sessions will be held at the Land-Based Healing office, located at Dreamcatcher Studio (160 School Road) in Tsi Snaihne.

To register, please email [email protected].

08/24/2026

AMBE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ELECTION (KANA:TAKON DISTRICT)
An election will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, in Kana:takon for one (1) three-year term on the Ahkwesahsne Mohawk Board of Education (AMBE) Board of Trustees. Voting will take place at the Angus Mitchell Memorial Building from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Advanced Polls will be held on August 24 and 25, 2026, by appointment only, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Angus Mitchell Memorial Building (Canada Post Building).

List of Candidates:
• Cecelia “Ceely” King
• Kimberly Terrance

🪪 Please ensure you bring valid photo identification when voting.

For questions or to schedule an Advanced Poll appointment, please contact the Chief Electoral Officer, Cheryl Jacobs at 613-575-2250 ext. 2126.