STORIES / Okara’shòn:’a
TV and radio
When I came into the world in 1957, Kahnawake had already gone through a lot of changes compared to my mom’s time. Back then, everybody spoke Mohawk.
Before the seaway
The swimming area for young people was what they called ‘the wharf’. It was in front of the hospital, about where the water filtration plant is today.
Rubbed off
Way back when, I think the community was closer than what we are now. It’s still close, but there was more respect at that time. I guess we put money first, before anything else.
Three times
I never knew my father. He passed away when I was only 6 months old. My brother and sister, they were lucky they were never carted away to the residential school, because of my grandparents.
Greedy people
A lot of people, you give them a place on the land, their shares, but not everybody is happy receiving their area or money. They want everything.
An elder’s secret
When we were children, I was always in a hurry to grow up. The elders, the women, they would tell me, “It’s not as exciting as you think.
Growing up in Kahnawake
When I was growing up in the village of Kahnawake, the area was beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.
The return of the doll
We moved so many times that eventually, I lost the Christmas doll. Fifteen years ago, I was at a scrapping workshop with a very close and devoted friend, Pauline Wiedow. We were all sharing our favourite stories, and I told my story of the doll.
Christmas doll
Christmas was my favourite time of year. When I was about six years old, they had the most beautiful Christmas doll in the display of the general store.
D’ailleboust general store
There was a general store adjacent to the church. It was called Louis D'ailleboust store, and this store had everything and anything.
Where I grew up
It’s a joy to see my grandchildren where I grew up. I never thought I’d have grandchildren. All of a sudden, you’re raising your own family, then the grandchildren come along.
Kahnawake before 1955
There’s a little house on the map named Tom Jacobs. Right behind that, by the river, there was a Manhattan beach, they called it. It was my brother’s place, William Cross The River.
Brick house by the riverside
My father built that house in 1925. It was there 1925 to 1955. They took it away for the Seaway in 55’.
Send the injun
I’m a mountain climber. Well, I used to be a mountain climber. As a matter of fact, I filmed the first Canadian ascent of Mount Everest, which was a flop.
The fourth child
Growing up, I always had dolls to play with, and I used to have dreams about having my own children. Bringing them around the kitchen table and making sure the table was always full. When we had our five children, I was a stay-at-home mom.