Iroquois Lodge is still shut down after residents were evacuated last Friday due to severe flooding.
Forty elderly residents had to be evacuated after a massive flood at the lodge on Chiefswood Road during an intense downpour on June 20 that also flooded several other parts of the reserve. The residents are still residing in temporary locations as of press time.
The Jay Silverheels complex was also flooded, making conditions unliveable for residents.
Elders from both facilities were relocated to family homes or other long-term care homes in surrounding communities.
Six Nations Elected Council said it was conducting a flood assessment of the whole community fol-
Iroquois Lodge flooded; residents evacuated
lowing the massive flooding but has not responded to numerous phone calls and emails from the Two Row Times seeking an update or details on what exactly caused the flooding at the lodge.
The last resident wasn’t evacuated from the lodge until 3 a.m. on Saturday morning.
Sandbags were placed around doorways around the lodge on Friday afternoon, a temporary drainage
9 - 20 June 18 – july 5
ditch was dug in the grass at the back of the lodge, and pumps were put in place to empty water from the lodge.
“SNGR is actively conducting an assessment following the severe flooding that impacted the community on June 18, 2025,” elected council said in a press release. “As part of this evaluation, we are checking the status of SNGR department buildings and gathering information from community members who have been affected by the flooding.”
The intense rainfall led to significant issues around the community, including: -flooding and wastewater backup. Many homes and community buildings have experienced extensive flooding, and homes connected to the wastewater system have experienced wastewater backups, which have affected basements and property.
-community buildings affected: Central Administration (which was also evacuated on Friday), Iroquois Lodge, and Home and Community Care. This includes Community Support, Jay Silverheels Complex. Only staff in the facility currently.
-relocations: residents of Iroquois Lodge and Jay Silverheels Complex have been evacuated, with many relocated to family homes or alternative long-term care facilities in the Haldimand area.
-Road closures: Chiefswood Road between
5th and 6th Line and Third Line between Tuscarora Road and Chiefswood Road were closed due to severe flooding.
“We are committed to understanding the full impact of this situation and providing support to those in need,” SNGR said.
SNGR also offered its crisis line for anyone impacted severely by the flooding.
The torrential downpour on Friday also put a halt to a much-anticipated groundbreaking ceremony for Kawennio/Gaweniyo language school construction, with work expecting to begin today (Wednesday) after a blessing ceremony by Leroy “Jock” Hill.
If you or someone you know is still experiencing difficulties due to the flooding, please reach out to Central Administration at (519) 445-2201 (from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or the Cri-
sis Line at (519) 445-2204 (24/7) with the following information:
Description of the impact on your property/ home.
Are you connected to the public wastewater system or a private system?
Do you have homeowner’s insurance?
If you are stranded in your home or experience other flood-related emergencies, please call 911 immediately. We urge all community members to exercise caution in flooded areas, particularly when it comes to electrical outlets, extension cords, and other potential hazards. For more information and safety tips regarding flooding and water safety, please visit the Grand River Conservation Authority website at https://www.grandriver. ca/our-watershed/flooding/flood-resources/.
Sandbags were placed around doorways around the lodge on Friday afternoon and pumps were put in place to empty water from the lodge. 2RT
Six Nations Elected Council said it was conducting a flood assessment of the whole community following the massive flooding but has not responded to numerous phone calls. 2RT
ONKWEHÓN:WE
HEALTH CHECK-IN
Discovering new needs
Finding gaps in our ser vices
Helping with funding requests
By Six Nations – For Six Nations This is a 100% community-driven project. Ever y member of our team is f rom Six Nations. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Must be at least 16 years old
OR
Pool safety strategies to keep in mind
DONNA DURIC donna@tworowtimes.com
ROW TIMES
Swimming pool safety is vital to keep everyone out of harm’s way.
Pools are great spots to beat the heat and enjoy some exercise. They’re also ideal spots for children to socialize with their friends away from screens.
As inviting as pools can be, it is important that swimmers recognize that safety is paramount, particularly for those who have the benefit of backyard pools. The organization Stop Drowning Now indicates that an average of 3,500 to 4,000 people drown each year in the United States, with 10 drownings occurring each day. Additionally, 6,500 non-fatal injuries are treated in hospital emergency departments each year, with a significant percentage of these incidents involving children under the age of 15 injured in residential pools.
Pools are fun spaces that should not elicit fear. These
swimming pool safety tips can help safeguard swimmers of all ages.
Install barriers: Barriers like tall, self-latching fences and gates (with vertical panels not easily scaled) can deter unmonitored entry into a pool area. Such safety precautions are mandatory in many towns and cities, even if there is a separate fence around the perimeter of the yard. Additional safety precautions can include special ladders that roll down or lock for above-ground pools, and alarms that sound if someone opens a pool gate without homeowners’ knowledge.
Close supervision: Lifeguards are stationed at public pools to keep careful watch of swimmers. The role of lifeguard at pools on private properties must be filled by responsible adults. Children should never be allowed to swim without someone monitoring the water at all times. Swimmers should be asked to exit the pool in the event the adult monitoring the pool needs to head in-
doors for a minute or if the adult’s attention is pulled elsewhere while outside. When hosting a pool party, hosts can consider hiring a lifeguard to watch the pool so they can handle hosting duties elsewhere.
Learn to swim: Although it’s possible to drown in mere inches of water, the likelihood of drowning is lower for experienced and skilled swimmers. Enrol children in swim lessons so they can learn the proper techniques. Until kids’ swimming skills are strong, it may be advisable for them to wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket when in the water. Inflatable water wings and other devices are not guaranteed lifesaving devices. Keep the pool clean: A pool should be properly maintained and sanitized to remain a safe space. The primary pool sanitizers include chlorine and bromine, which help prevent algae and bacterial growth. Maintaining a proper pH in the water increases swimmer comfort and helps the sanitizer work optimally.
The location of a
Fourth Line
has community members concerned about its impacts on the local neighbourhood.
Sitting smack dab in the middle of the most populated area of the reserve, just steps away from a daycare, residential neighbourhood, businesses, and long-term care home, Legacy Farms has found itself mired in controversy since it razed a swath of forest to build a cannabis grow-op on a patch of land behind First Nations Cable last year.
Since then, neighbour Nancy Porter, whose property is a mere steps away from the grow-op in her backyard, has been searching for answers and expressing grave concerns about the impacts of the grow-op on local neighbours in terms of health, the environment, and personal safety to no avail.
There are over100 greenhouses and one large structural building dot the
once-green property.
Trees were clearcut to make room for the operation, much to the chagrin of local neighbours.
Danielle Miller, whose house also abuts the growop, showed a slide show of an arial view demonstrating the loss of trees on the property at a community meeting Monday night at the community hall.
Miller, who used to work with Six Nations Forestry, said she’s concerned about the loss of tree species and medicinal plants that were removed to make way for the grow-op.
“We can always plant trees,” she said, but restoring the property to its original condition could take about 100 years, she noted.
Rhonda Hill, another concerned community member, said it was “heartbreaking” to see the land razed of trees to make way for the grow-op.
“It’s heartbreaking to see what was once a beautiful space of green is now filled with greenhouses. It’s heartbreaking for me and pretty much everyone I’ve spoken with.
We are the Indigenous land stewardship. What is it that we’re really doing to the land?”
She said Porter spent a whole year asking questions about the project to no avail.
Answers only started becoming available after a video showcasing the massive grow-op was circulated on social media in April of this year, causing a community uproar.
Last month, Six Nations of the Grand River Elected
Council put a moratorium on all licenses issued by the Six Nations Cannabis Commission.
But the concerned community members want the license for Legacy Farms revoked altogether and the project stopped.
Miller pointed out that, according to the SNCC rules, the project should have underwent a 15-day public notice period, which didn’t happen.
“I’ve spoken to all of the neighbours, I’ve talked to
the landowners; this was something we were not aware of. There was no notice given to us.”
That was phase one of the process to issue a license.
Phase two notes that upon a successful review of phase one, the applicant is to attend a meeting with the commission to submit documents.
But Miller wondered, “How did they get to phase two if they didn’t complete phase one?”
Another phase of the license application involves providing background checks for all employees working at the grow-op.
“Who is the personnel for Legacy Farms?” asked Miller. “Was a police check done for them?”
Neighbours have said they’ve seen non-native employees working at the property, which has them concerned for their safety.
“People are concerned about criminal activity,” said Miller. “We don’t know who’s back there. We’re not assuming; we’re just asking."
There are also concerns about re-routing of the
waterways on the property and the ventilation and smell of the plants from the greenhouses.
“Those were some of the questions we’ve asked that weren’t answered and that’s why we’re here today,” said Miller.
Cayuga Faithkeeper and Sub-Chief Leroy “Jock” Hill said he had concerns about the environmental impacts of the project.
“It’s our own people destroying our land,” he said. “For a few bucks” he said, they are clearcutting the land and they demolished a forest.
“I don’t know how you repair that. I’m very concerned about that. They’re causing a lot of destruction. That whole neighbourhood is affected by one person’s decision.”
The license is issued to Six Nations resident Aaron Porter.
Rhonda Hill said their complaints aren’t about cannabis itself but the location.
“Whoever decided to put that there, I don’t know how you can sleep at night. I don’t know what the answers are.”
All Six Nations of the Grand River departments will be closed on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Regular office hours will resume Tuesday, July 2 @ 8:30am.
DONNA DURIC donna@tworowtimes.com
A community meeting was called to address the cannabis growop facility which has been licensed by the Six nations Cannabis Commission. 2RT
The Latest: As Trump goes to NATO, US remains at heightened risk
The Canadian Press
President Donald Trump sought to maintain a ceasefire between Israel and Iran and said while traveling to a two-day NATO summit at The Hague that he's not seeking regime change in Tehran. The summit is laden with uncertainty over Iran’s response to U.S. airstrikes, the fate of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the future of U.S. troops based in NATO countries. NATO leaders are expected to endorse a goal of spending 5% of their gross domestic product on their security. Trump last week suggested the U.S. should not have to abide by the spending pledge, although he appeared to soften those comments on Tuesday. The administration also postponed classified congressional intelligence briefings on the U.S. strikes. A Senate briefing is rescheduled for Thursday so Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio can attend. The House will be briefed Friday, according to Speaker Mike Johnson. Here's the latest:
The U.S. and Iran are in early discussions about resuming negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, Trump envoy says Trump’s special Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, says the U.S. and Iran are engaged in both direct talks and through intermediaries about getting back to the table after Israeli and U.S. strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities.
“The conversations are promising. We’re hopeful,” he said in an interview with Fox News.
“Now it’s time to sit down with the Iranians and get to a comprehensive peace
deal.”
Witkoff did not provide details but said the weekend U.S. airstrikes achieved their objectives: eliminating Iran’s ability to convert any weapons-grade uranium it might have had or produce in the future into an actual weapon; and setting back Iran’s ability to enrich uranium to that point by years.
JD Vance says Trump’s actions in Iran avoided ‘another protracted war’ The vice president told a crowd of fellow Republicans in his home state of Ohio that Trump’s actions in Iran represent a middle ground between defending American interests abroad and entering a war.
Vance told about 900 people at a fundraiser in the working-class city of Lima he empathizes with those who voted for Trump because they don’t want another lengthy war abroad.
“And so what I call the Trump Doctrine is quite simple,” Vance said.
“Number one, you articulate a clear American interest and that’s, in this case, that Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon.
“Number two, you try to aggressively, diplomatically solve that problem.
“And, number three, when you can’t solve it diplomatically, you use overwhelming military power to solve it, and then you get the hell out of there before it ever becomes a protracted conflict.”
Speaker Johnson says delayed House briefing on Iran will be FridayThe Louisiana Republican made the announcement on social media.
The Trump administration postponed classified briefings for Senate and House members as lawmakers
look for answers about the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend.
The Senate briefing has been rescheduled for Thursday.
The briefings were to be led by CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, along with Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and deputy secretaries of state Christopher Landau and Steve Feinberg.
Congress has not received any new intelligence since Gabbard told lawmakers in March that the U.S. believed Iran was not building a new nuclear weapon, according to two people familiar with the intelligence. The people insisted on anonymity to share what Congress has been told.
—By Mary Clare Jalonick and Kevin Freking
A GOP plan to sell more than 3,200 square miles of federal lands is found to violate Senate rules
The plan has been ruled out of Republicans’ big tax and spending cut bill after the Senate parliamentarian determined it the proposal would violate the chamber’s rules.
GOP Senate Energy Chairman Mike Lee Lee of Utah proposed selling millions of acres of public lands in the West to states or other entities for use as housing or infrastructure. The plan would revive a longtime ambition of Western conservatives to cede lands to local control.
The Trump administration said Monday it will move to rescind a 2001 rule that blocked logging on national forest lands. The so-called roadless rule has angered Republicans, especially in the
West where forests sprawl across vast mountainous terrain and the logging industry has waned.
▶Read more about the plan’s fate
Court orders Trump administration to facilitate another deported man’s return from El Salvador
A federal appeals court in New York issued the order in a case involving Jordin Alexander Melgar-Salmeron, who was deported roughly 30 minutes after the court suspended an order to remove him from the U.S.
The ruling marks at least the fourth time this year that the Trump administration has been ordered to facilitate the return of somebody mistakenly deported.
The government said “a confluence of administrative errors” led to Melgar-Salmeron’s deportation on May 8, according to the decision by a three-judge panel from the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
The judges gave the administration a week to specify what steps it will take to facilitate his return.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, whose mistaken deportation in March became a flashpoint in Trump’s immigration crackdown, was returned from El Salvador this month to face human smuggling charges in Tennessee.
▶Read more about the court order
A key Republican calls for delay of scheduled first meeting of a controversial vaccine panel
Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana posted on X that many panel members "do not have significant experience studying microbiology, epidemiology or immunology” and says a
Wednesday meeting of the vaccine advisers should be postponed.
Cassidy chairs a committee that oversees the health department.
The new advisers were handpicked by U.S. health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., himself a vaccine skeptic.
Last month, Kennedy abruptly dismissed the existing 17-member expert panel, which makes recommendations for the nation’s vaccine schedule. He named eight replacements, including several anti-vaccine voices.
Early intelligence report suggests US strikes only set back Iran’s nuclear program by a few months, AP sources say That’s according to two people familiar with the early assessment. The people were not authorized to address the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
The early intelligence report issued by the Defense Intelligence Agency contradicts statements from Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the status of Iran’s nuclear facilities.
According to the people, the report found that while the Saturday strikes at the Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites did significant damage, they were not “completely and totally obliterated,” as Trump said. totally destroyed.
The White House strongly pushed back on the assessment, calling it “flat-out wrong.”
—By Michelle Price and Mary Clare Jalonick
Treasury imposes sanctions on fugitive leader of Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang Giovanni Vicente Mos-
quera Serrano is a leader of the gang that originated in a Venezuelan prison. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control says Mosquera Serrano is involved in the organization’s drug trafficking and financial operations.
Mosquera Serrano is accused of overseeing narcotics trafficking efforts and murders on behalf of the gang in Colombia.
A Treasury news release states that Treasury worked with the FBI, Justice Department and the State Department to come up with the sanctions. Who’s sitting where at the NATO summit dinner Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are having dinner together at the Dutch royal palace — but they’re placed at separate tables.
Trump is seated next to like-minded Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni. Their table is shared by Dutch King Willem-Alexander and NATO Secretary-General Rutte.
Zelenskyy has a prominent dinner seat too, but at a different table with Dutch Queen Maxima. US stocks approach an all-time high as oil prices tumble Oil prices eased further on hopes that Israel’s war with Iran will not damage the global flow of crude. The S&P 500 climbed 1.1%, following up on big gains for stocks across Europe and Asia, after Trump said late Monday that Israel and Iran had agreed to a ceasefire. The main measure of Wall Street’s health is back within 0.8% of its record set in February. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 507 points, or 1.2%, and the Nasdaq composite rallied 1.4%.
Production: Dave LaForce
SN SOLIDARITY DAY 2025
By 2RT Staff
The opportunities for families to have fun do not stop just because the sun sets. In fact, many different activities are tailor-made for family fun in the evening hours.
According to South University, children feel special when their parents take time to engage in fun activities with them. Routine activities and the occasional unusual outing can make for great bonding experiences.
Backyard camping: Children can ease into
Family fun makes for enjoyable evenings
the idea of camping by having the first overnight excursion take place in their own backyard. Set up a tent, light a campfire in the fire pit, and have fun experiencing the sights and sounds of outdoors at night. With close proximity to the bathroom, and an easy means of escaping the outdoors if bad weather sets in, backyard camping can be a safe way to learn some basic camping skills and experience a night under the stars. Watch a movie: Turn an outdoor (or indoor) area into a theatre to enjoy
a family friendly film. Projectors are relatively inexpensive and some can hook up to smartphones, making them quite portable. Invite extended family and friends over for the ultimate movie night. Host a scavenger hunt: Everyone in the family can take part in a scavenger hunt. Doing so in the dark can make the hunt a bit more challenging. Young children can be paired off with an older sibling or an adult for safety’s sake. Items to collect outdoors can include a garden stone, tree branch, pine
cone, clover, or backyard accessory, like a grill brush. Curate the list so items can be found without too much exploring in the dark.
Star gazing: Learn about the galaxy, stars, solar system, and more by finding a dark place away from artificial lights to stare into the sky. Consult books about what you’re seeing, or rely on a phone app that can identify celestial bodies and constellations. From meteor showers to eclipses, there are plenty of celestial events to engage star gazers. In 2025, the Parseids Meteor
Shower will occur between August 12 and 13. On August 19, Mercury will be at the greatest western elongation, making this the best time to view the planet low in the eastern sky just before sunrise.
On September 7, enthusiasts can witness a total lunar eclipse, producing a moon that looks rusty or blood red in color for parts of eastern Europe and Africa, and throughout all of Asia and Australia.
Flashlight tag: A spin on traditional hide and seek, children and adults run around in the evening with
flashlights and try to find or rescue team members.
Toasting marshmallows: Fire pits and late summer and early fall evenings make a perfect pair. Add to the fun with marshmallows toasted on skewers and a fixings bar of other sweet treats, like s’mores ingredients or cookies and fruit to enjoy with the melted marshmallows.
Make the most of evenings by spending time together with the family outdoors or inside.
Wa’tkonnonhwerá:ton, Katsitsionhawi niwakhsennò:ten, Hill tewakhsenná:sere, yah tyorhénsa tewakhsenná:yen, Shotinontowanen’à:ka niwakonhwentsyò:ten, wake’nhehsí:yo. Ohswé:ken nitewaké:non táhnon kén:’en kenákere. Kanyen’kéha kahrónhkha. Karonhiaroraks Hill nok Awentennawe McNaughton ronwatí:ya’ts ne yonkyén:’a. Kahnhotonkwas Thomas, Wayne VanEvery, Lorna McNaughton, táhnon Earl McNaughton’kénha ronwatí:ya’ts ne yonkhsothokón:’a. -- Greetings, my name is Katsitsionhawi Hill, I don’t have an English name, I’m Seneca Nation, Snipe Clan from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. I speak the Mohawk language. My parents are Phyllis Hill and Franklyn McNaughton. My grandparents are Yvonne Thomas, Wayne “Sla” VanEvery, and Lorna and the late Earl McNaughton.
In 2014, I graduated from Mohawk College’s Early Childhood Education Program and began immediately working in the field to support my young daughter and I. Soon after I decided to pursue courses in my Onkwehón:we language, I was fortunate to grow up learning Kanyen’kéha and have received many awards in Elementary and High school for my achievements in the language. As a mother, I always wanted my daughter to know and be able to learn and speak too. Thankfully, Six Nations Polytechnic’s Bachelor of Arts in Onkwehón:we Languages had both Mohawk and Cayuga streams and ran in the evenings allowing me to continue working. I graduated the program in 2018 and was featured in Maclean’s 2019 University Rankings, Canada’s Best Schools in a published interview “Bringing the Mohawk Language Home” which also unexpectedly landed me on the cover of the magazine for that year.
While completing my last year of the BAOL, I enrolled in Onkwawenna Kentyohkwa an unaccredited institution teaching Mohawk in an immersion setting to adult language learners of all levels, mostly beginners. I graduated from Onkwawenna in 2019 and was a graduate of their most recent successful third year programs in 2022. At Onkwawenna I was grateful to put the learning from SNP into daily practice and was able to focus more on increasing my speaking abilities. I’d say that I was a Novice-Low speaker when I entered the program and after the first two years I graduated at an Advanced Low level of proficiency maintaining this level through my third year as well. I pursued my career in language revitalization working at Kawenní:io/Gawęní:yo as a Teacher Assistant in the Kindergarten Program in 2019 and have also taught several Kanyen’kéha classes and courses at various levels including in the Honours Bachelors of Arts in Onkwehón:we Languages program at Six Nations Polytechnic.
As an aspiring teacher I decided to enroll to Queen’s University for the Indigenous Teacher Education Program (ITEP) and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Education this year. This program
was community based, so it allowed me to stay in my home much of the program in my own community with my family and attend classes on the weekends. The closest classes were held through the Lambton-Kent District School Board at Queen Elizabeth II School in Sarnia. The only exception was the summer semester which required in person attendance on campus at Queen’s University for the month of July.
I’m a proud mom of 3, despite being a teenage mom, I was able to pursue my education. I was steadfast in my efforts to create a brighter future for my then daughter and I. I have earned a diploma in Early Childhood Education, Bachelor of Arts in Mohawk Language, a Bachelor of Education, a Certificate in Adult Mohawk Immersion and am an Advanced Low speaker of Mohawk Language. During my time learning language, I was able to secure a job working with my elementary teacher Ima Johnson’kénha speaking with her and working on a Mohawk language dictionary. One of my proudest moments was when we had a conversation and she told me in the language how proud she was of my efforts to learn and carry fourth our language. Being able to have that conversation with her entirely in Kanyen’kéha is a moment I’ll never forget. I was so devastated when she had passed away.
I’m fortunate to have had the guidance and teachers that I did on this path all are first language speakers or highly distinguished second language speakers: Vina Loft’kénha, Sandra Loft, Wahienhawi McGregor, Ima Johnson’kénha, Jake Thomas’kénha, Tehahente Miller, Tehota’kerá:ton Green, Rohahiyo Brant and Owennatekha Brian Maracle. I would like to acknowledge them for their love, passion and drive to carry forward the language, culture and knowledge to the future generations and their efforts in revitalizing the Mohawk language on Six Nations.
Having been immersed in the traditional knowledge, teachings, language and values of my people from a young age made navigating life’s natural hardships and challenges a little more peaceful. Knowing where I come from and always having the energy of my roots and ancestors helped me to remain grounded and on a good path. I know my responsibility as an Onkwehón:we woman, mother and daughter due to that, I was able to refrain from using mind changers through the toughest years of my life. As a teacher, being a second language speaker myself has really shaped the way that I engage and teach the students in my classroom. As my first year as a Mohawk immersion teacher comes to an end, I’m incredibly proud to have taught grades 5 and 6, the same grades—that Ima Johnson’kenha once taught me. Returning to the classroom where I once sat as a student has been a powerful full-circle moment. I’m humbled to walk in the footsteps of such a respected educator and community member, and I know I had big shoes to fill. To my students and community—Nyá:wen for trusting me on this journey. You’ve inspired me just as much as I hope to inspire you.
A major challenge was having to leaving home (Six Nations) alone to attend in person classes in Kingston for a month because I had a 5-month-old
at home that I had been exclusively breastfeeding. My family was extremely supportive and helped to plan for the transition to bottle feeding and the dorm I was staying in had allowed me to use a large deep freezer to freeze my breastmilk. My classmates and instructors were also very supportive of my breastfeeding journey. This experience made me stronger as it was the first time I was away from home, staying by myself and in a completely new environment, it was the first time too that I used public transportation to commute to school. During my learning weekends on the way home I would often cry tears of pride for completing another weekend, sometimes even to just release the heaviness of the weekends topics as I drove home. It was difficult leaving my family once a month to attend class 2 hours away by myself from Friday afternoon and not getting home until late Sunday afternoon.
Another challenge arose while attending Onkwawenna Kentyohkwa. At the time, I was the sole provider for my first daughter, earning only $350 per week while attending 30 hours of classes. Though I had savings from my previous full-time job, they were depleted within the first year. By the end of the second year, I was three months behind on my mortgage. I was unable to access financial assistance through GRPSEO or bursaries, as the program was unaccredited. To supplement my income, I helped to initiate the position of the after-school care coordinator at Skaronhyase’kó:wa (the Everlasting Tree School) and am grateful for the relationship we built.
I was raised in the language and culture, so being able to see it mirrored at school and in my home was beneficial to my upbringing. Alcohol and drugs were hugely frowned upon in my house growing up. While I was raised in a single parent household, I had the teachings and guidance from my grandparents, my mom and occasionally my dad. I learned how to do a lot of different cultural crafts and speaking the language was always encouraged at home. My family raised me with the knowledge and oral stories of our people, so I try my best to live my life with skén:nen, kasha’sténhsera and ka’nikonhrí:yo. My family also taught me of the value of discipline, good work ethic and to be kind and considerate.
I see myself continuing to work in the field of language revitalization in various capacities. The health and wellness of a community is directly tied to the health of the languages. I can see myself making Mohawk language more accessible in this community and broadening the age ranges that are currently offered. I also see myself contributing to language growth of adult learners and families in different capacities. It’s always been a goal of mine to provide bursaries for students studying any of our six languages in any institution, our language learners and speakers are in critical need of support. I have loved learning my language my entire life, it has given me purpose in life but it is not something that is well supported in my community.
I think one key challenge that needs to be urgently addressed by Six Nations is more support and incentives for our Rotinonhsón:ni language learners. Finan-
cially it is difficult to attend an immersion program if one is not well prepared. Attending adult immersion for any of our languages is currently the fastest pathway to become a speaker. It is also the most vital for saving our languages and bringing them out of a critically endangered state. However, as I have stated before these programs are unaccredited so you cannot apply for readily available bursaries and scholarships for added financial support as you would with a typical postsecondary pathway. The living allowance to learn our languages falls severely under the poverty line and many families must sacrifice study time to work part time to make ends meet while attending these vitally important programs. For our languages to all survive and live to see the next seven generations, we need to be supporting people in the programs and using these languages in our homes and as much as we possibly can. We need to get back to intergenerational language transmission in our families. Families should all be learning alongside their child and using the language at home as much as they can. More funding needs to be allocated to the specialty jobs in the community that require speakers be at a defined levels of fluency to attract more people to the field and enhance the jobs and services in the language revitalization sector. By prioritizing our languages in this manner, Six Nations thereby acknowledges the level of commitment and importance of this critical work and its ripple effects on community wellness.
Young people are key to the success and continuation of our ways, knowledge and language; you should feel proud and at peace of who you are. There is never ending opportunity out there for you, if you ever thought about getting involved in language revitalization now’s the time, it’s the “cool” thing to do and the opportunities are endless!
Grand River Post Secondary Board
Michelle Bomberry, Lana Martin, Audrey Powless Bomberry
Grand River Post Secondary Board Members: Dr. Susan Hill (chair) , Carol Jacobs, Shirley Bomberry, Rick Monture,
know the score.
Arrows
By Jim Windle
The Jr. A Arrows were four points behind the Orangeville Northman coming into this weeks schedule, one game in hand.
The Six Nations Jr. A Arrows swatted the Oakville Buzz, 13-6, Sunday, June 22nd at the ILA, improving their season record to 9-3-0, good enough for second place, but not for first. That spot is held by the Orangeville Northmen who are four points ahead.
Six Nations built a quick 5-1 first period lead and advanced that to 10-2 after two. The Arrows used the easy game to work on some plays in get some experience for their younger players . It was also a chance to puff up personal stats.
Daylin John-Hill had a four goal, three assist outing to lead the Arrows charge. Also racking up multiple points were Trysten Sunday (3G,1A), Joe Squire (2G,1A), Noah Snyder (1G,2A), Hodo Martin (1G,1A), Shakorennawis Swamp (1G,1A), Blayze
Becker (3A), and McKay Jimerson (2A).
Goalie Sakaronhiotane Thomas earned the Arrows win, turning away 40 of 46 shots.
Wednesday, June 18th, Six Nations and Kitchener-Waterloo met at the ILA and the Arrows easily took the two points 13-5. Four Arrows earned five points each, starting with Takaronhiotakie Thompson (3G,2A), Daylin JohnHill (2G,3A), Joe Squire
(1G,4A), Noah Snyder (5A).
Chaz Hill (3G,1A), Trysten Sunday (2G,2A), earned four points each and McCay Jimerson (2G,1A), and Eric “Hodo” Martin (3A), also enjoyed three point games for the Arrows, while Sakaronhiotane Thompson stopped 46 of the 51 shots he had to handle in the Arrows net.
Looking ahead, the big test of the season so far
will be Wednesday’s a clash of the Jr. A titans, the Arrows versus the Orangeville Northmen, set for the ILA at 8pm. This could be the definitive game or the season so far and a large crowd is expected. Thursday, June 27th, at 8pm, the Brampton Excelsiors host the Arrows. Six Nations returns the hospitality Saturday, June 29th at the ILA in a 7 pm start.
June is National Indigenous History Month and June 21 is National Indigenous Solidarity Day.
The Law Society of Ontario hosted a program earlier this month, focused on reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, as part of the Equity Legal Education Series. The program featured a teaching from an Elder as well as remarks from Law Society of Ontario representatives and a guest speaker.
Trysten Sunday scoring for Jr. A Arrows.
LAFORCE
2025 Hill United Chiefs Challenge
Hill United Chiefs beat the heat and the Drillers
By Jim Windle
SIMCOE — The Hill United bats were hot, literally, but so was everything else as temperatures topped 100 F, at the International Softball
At one point, with the extreme humidity, factored in, the Championship Game teams were playing in 128 degrees F. temperature under an unrelenting sun.
Even the umpires were not immune to the heat. The home plate umpire had to be removed from the game when the heat became too much for him to bear and was given 10 minutes to cool down before returning.
But despite all that, Hill United Chiefs, who hosted the Chiefs Challenge tournament, and the Northeast Drillers gave it all in the Championship Game held Sunday at 1 pm at Simcoe’s Lions Park.
Two home runs in the first inning gave the Chiefs an early 3-0 lead, which they expanded to 5-0 by the 6th, heading into the seventh and last inning. That’s when the Drillers mounted a gutsy comeback, eventually evened up the score at 5-5, and seemed to have just a little more gas left in the tank than the Chiefs. But in the bottom of the 7th, the Chiefs produced a single with one out.
Next to bat was Nick Shails who drove in the game winner with a double to win the 2025 Chiefs Challenge Cup, and to end the toucher of playing championship fastball in a microwave.
It was the first such tournament hosted by the Hill United Chiefs since the COVID pandemic.
“It’s great to be back that’s for sure,” said Tim Tota, of Burford who sponsors the Hill United Chiefs. “We held this tournament for a first time a couple of years ago – prior to the pandemic and we really wanted to get it going again this year.”
The Hill United Chiefs continue their summer tournament schedule close by, in Kitchener, June 27th, to June 29th.
SIX NATIONS COUNCIL
SIX NATIONS AND NEW CREDIT
STEVEN PATRICK MONTOUR
October 17, 1963 – June 22, 2025
In his 61st year, it is with deep sorrow that the family of Steven Patrick Montour announces his passing after a lengthy battle with cancer. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 35 years, Deneen Montour (nee Longboat). His children and grandchildren were his pride and joy. Doting father of Shelby and son-inlaw Curtis, Skylar and son-in-law Quintan, and Cecil (Emma). Grandfather to five beautiful grandchildren who were the light of his life, grandsons Teyo and Dawson and granddaughters Soki, Izzy and Lily. Survived by his brother Kevan, and sister Melanie, sisters-in-law, Rhonda Longboat, Claudine Longboat-White and brothers-in-law, Randy White and Jerry P. Longboat Jr. Predeceased by his infant daughter Shae Madeline (1999), father Cecil Morgan Montour (1964), mother Lillian Grace Montour (2022), brothers Ellwood (Ted) (2024), Gary (2019) and Jason (2017), and Father-in-Law Jerry P. Longboat (2021). He will be missed by some of his longtime buddies, Mark Hill, Rob Hill, Scott Hill, Chris Hill and Robert Skye, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. Steven was a veteran of the Six Nations Police Service and joined the police force in its infancy in 1989. He was one of the first six constables and served until his retirement in 2014. Steve was a self-taught businessman, building a small business Iroquois Mill Products during his time as a police officer. In January 2015, he opened Kanata Fuels and built it into a thriving company committed to serving the needs of his community.
Steve was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a sports supporter, player and coach. He coached his son Cecil’s team to win the Lil’ NHL Championship in 2014. He also loved the game of fastball, playing himself with the Six Nation’s Redmen and winning the All-Ontario Native Fastball Championships in 2004. Steve coached the Team Ontario Midget Girl’s Fastball team at the North American Indigenous Games in Cowichan, BC in 2008, winning gold. He started the Six Nation’s Jr’s Women’s Provincial Fastball team in 2007 and coached until 2020. The Six Nation’s Jr’s won the All-Ontario Native Fastball Championships in 2012 (co-champs), 2014, 2015, and 2019. In 2022, after the COVID-19 pandemic, he returned to coaching alongside his sonin-law Curtis with the Buck Nation Ladies and won the championship once again.
Steve was a philanthropist and loved nothing more than giving back to his community. He was a member of Six Nations Polytechnic Board from 1994-2017, serving a few years as Chairperson. He provided the Cecil Montour & the Nina Burnham awards to Polytechnic students. He was a member of the Six Nations Minor Lacrosse Association and served as President from 2016-2018. He has been a member of Six Nations Gaming Commission since 2018.
Thank you to Dr. Renn, Jeanette, the in-home Six Nations CarePartners nurses Mary-Grace, Tessa, Camila, and Kim, Juravinski Cancer Centre and Dr. Levine for all of the care and support over the last 4 years.
Visitation will be held at Hyde & Mott Chapel in Hagersville on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 from 5-7pm. Funeral service will be held in the chapel at 11:00am on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, with a luncheon to follow at MontHill Golf & Country Club. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to Miles To Go Cancer Support Group at milestogogroupsn@gmail.com www.rhbanderson.com
Richard Sault Sunrise May 9, 1951Sunset June 17, 2025
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Richard Vernon Sault on Tuesday June 17, 2025 at his home on Six Nations.
Rich leaves behind his loving companion Cindy Carpenter, stepson Joshua George Carpenter, wife Terrylynn, grandchildren Ava, Selina, Shoni & Jalen, and gg-Tevin Jr., his loving children Hope (Jake), their children Christina, Lorne, Ashley, Samantha, and Samuel, and 13 great grandchildren, daughter Rose Lodchard and son Richard Bly. He leaves behind 3 brothers and a sister (Johnny, Sandy, Mark, and Patty). He was predeceased by his mother Maisie Sault (Maracle), father Joseph Sault, and brothers Bill, Claude, and Les. He will be greatly missed by all his many nieces, nephews and friends. Rich was a retired ironworker at Local #736 (Canada), Local #7 (USA). He was very active throughout his whole life and never lost his strength or speed. He touched many lives near and far. He was a mentor, helper, guide, and a great support to his niece Cassandra Sault as she walks the spiritual way of life. knew when they met Rich. He “had your back” and “he could be counted on”. He was always loving, compassionate and respectful to Cindy his partner. He was a dog lover big time and en joyed all music.
The family will honour his life with visita tion at Styres Funeral Home, 1798 4th Line, Ohsweken on Wednesday from 6-8 pm. ning Service at 7pm. Funeral Service will be held at the funeral home on Thursday June 19, 2025 at 1:30 pm. Burial at New Credit Cemetery. Reception to follow at the New Credit Commu nity Centre at 5pm. www.rhbanderson.com
Please bring your musical instruments.
KING: Leona Hazel September 17, 1946 - June 11, 2025
Loving moth er of Chris (late Debbie), and Tara King. the late Graham & Philnese (Brant) King. also mom to many foster children for almost 24 years. Cremation has taken place. rangements by Hyde & Motat Chapel, Hagers ville. banderson.com
For November Indigenous History Month, these INDIGENOUS BRANDS will be on sale at Life Sustainers June 25-29th -- Sequoia Soaps, Waspu Seal Oil at 1271 Chiefswood Rd.
Life Sustainers is also hosting a film documentary “Why Can’t We Talk About This”
The focus is on a local Waterford Man and his struggle with a debilitating Diagnosis following his vaccines.
This will be shown in the GRETI Theatre at 7pm Thursday, June 26 and the cost at the door is $20.00
CLUES ACROSS
1. Computer manufacturer
5. Noted space station
8. Kurt Russell film “Captain”
11. Automaton
13. Everyone has one
14. Incline from the vertical 15. Fights
16. Dunn & Bradstreet (abbr.)
17. Finishes off
18. Places to store things
20. Dutch painter Gerard __
21. Smaller quantity
22. There’s a North, South and Central of these
25. In an early way
30. More spacious
31. Short-term memory
32. One who possesses
33. Sesame
38. Forbid
41. A way to explain
43. Not around
45. Evoke or suggest
47. Ancient kingdom near Dead Sea
49. Dekameter
50. Fencing sword
55. “Luther” actor Idris
56. Affirmative (slang)
57. Afflicted
59. One point north of northeast
60. Born of
61. Arabic name
62. Hong Kong food stall: __ pai dong
63. Not the start
64. Post
1. Creative expression
2. Fiber from the outer husk of a coconut
3. City in ancient Syria
4. College army
5. More disturbed
6. Pays no attention to
7. Restored
8. Competitions
9. Lyric poems
10. Famed American lawman
12. Expression of disappointment
14. Scars
19. Satisfy
23. Central European river
24. Brass instrument
25. One who gets paid to perform
26. Propel with oars
27. Long period of time
28. Woman (French)
29. Type of plane
34. Pitching stat
35. Pointed end of a pen
36. Pro sports league
37. Body part
39. Inoffensive
40. Yellowish cotton cloth
41. Feline
42. Does not tell the truth
44. Set out to attract
45. Spiritual leader of a Jewish congregation
46. Abba __, Israeli politician
47. Repair
48. Genus of flowering plants
51. Tributary of the High Rhine
52. Prejudice
53. C. European river
54. Restrain
58. Father
ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20
Nothing is too much for you to handle right now, Aries. But don’t take on even more as a way to prove something to someone. That could be a recipe for trouble.
TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21
Your physical energy is strong right now, Taurus. This may work to your advantage regarding your relationship. Your desire for love and passion is intense right now, so explore it.
GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21
Matters of the heart may need a little work right now, Gemini. If things haven’t been going too smoothly, you might have to examine the dynamics of the relationship and make changes.
CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22
You have an incredible passion for life, Cancer. It’s attracting friends and family members into your circle. Partner with someone who shares your energy.
LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23
Leo, if things aren’t going smoothly at work, be careful about blaming yourself. You need to look at the bigger picture and figure out who all the players are in this situation.
VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22
Virgo, even when others may count you out, you can be full of surprises. Do not let a recent success go entirely to your head, however. You still have a lot of work to do.
LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23
Libra, even though you may like to plan ahead and take things slowly, sometimes you need to throw caution to the wind. When an opportunity all but falls in your lap, run with it.
SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22
Scorpio, recent conflicts may ignite some mixed feelings, which could prove confusing. Think about solutions that potentially benefit all around you, including yourself.
SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21
You might not be having the best luck right now, Sagittarius, but things can change quickly. Keep your chin up and your eyes set on your goal. Networking may help you move forward.
CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20
Capricorn, if you have any health questions, make an appointment to talk to someone right away. It is important to stay ahead of things.
AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18
Something that has been taking up a bulk of your time is finally coming to a close, Aquarius. This will be a big relief and a lot of stress will be lifted in the process.
PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20
People keep coming up to you expecting all of the answers, Pisces. Don’t feel pressured to please everyone. Right now you may be content to enjoy some alone time.
