STORIES / Okara’shòn:’a
Kahnawake education centre
Kahnawake did a great thing, because in 1980 we established the Kahnawake Education Centre. We took control of our own curriculum and decided what would be taught in the schools.
Abusive indian day school
I went to Indian day school, and we had non-Native teachers that were very abusive towards us. You know, calling us mostly “sauvage,” or “f’in Indians,” different stuff like that, getting smacked and getting hit and saying “you’re stupid” or “you’re a dirty savage,” everything.
A good roar
Our youngest one - when she started school, I participated in a lot of activities. For Halloween they always had a parade in the gymnasium.
Eight feet tall
I always wanted to be eight feet tall. I wanted to be a strong man. Life doesn’t work that way.
Transported
For grade 6, we used to get transported from Kahnawake to LaSalle. We got moved around a bit here and there. A lot of it was outside of the community.
Rock audition
There’s a Tlingit legend that if you don’t pass the knowledge, Creator will turn you into a rock. I don’t want to be a rock.
Less fiction in journalism
People in the community know me. Just look for the stick with the feathers and you’re sure it’s me.
The Baptism Book
My mom baptized me, but when I got older, I re-learned my culture, my history and my language. So me and another friend of mine, we went to the church to go talk to the priest.
Indian village
I remember when I was a little kid, we used to pass by the Indian Village near the Karonhianónhnha School.
