Akwesasne Road Trip

Timeless story, timely message

For as long as time, the Haudenosaunee and other Indigenous groups have told a story of the world’s creation. It explains that the land we walk on is a turtle’s back, and how the sun and moon came to be in the sky. It tells how the crops that nourished people came about, and positive and negative forces came into the world.

“The Senecas might tell it a little different than the Mohawks,” says Iakonikonriiosta, museum manager of the Akwesasne Cultural Center in Akwesasne. “You’re talking about thousands of years in the oral history. But the premise of it is that we’re very fortunate to live in this time and space. And in order for us to continue that, we have to give thanks.”

“Thanksgiving” is a core element of the creation story. A mural depicting the Thanksgiving Address and creation tale greets visitors to the newly renovated Cultural Center, which is reopening this spring for visitors. Up to six guests at a time will be able to walk through the museum, which showcases the cultural tradition of the Haudenosaunee. Displays feature woven sweetgrass baskets made by master craftspeople as well as wampum belts, intricate beadwork and artifacts depicting the Haudenosaunee experience.

For three years, The Wild Center and the Akwesasne Cultural Center, the Six Nations Iroquois Cultural Center and the Native North American Traveling College have

had a partnership called Ways of Knowing. As part of our work together, displays here in Tupper Lake have explored how Indigenous populations view nature. This traditional ecological knowledge, as it’s known, complements the western, scientific approach that many non-Indigenous people may be more familiar with.

“We approach things in such a siloed way,” says Jen Kretser, The Wild Center’s director of climate initiatives. Traditional ecological knowledge, on the other hand, does a better job of helping us understand our own connection to nature.

Or, in other words: “It’s harder to neglect or abuse things you take care of,” Iakonikonriiosta says.

And after the past year, when COVID-19 upended so much, Iakonikonriiosta says that message is as appropriate as ever. “The Creator asked us to slow down and think about things,” she says. “He is showing us who is boss.”

Artist David Kanietakeron Fadden has turned his depiction of the Thanksgiving Address, on display at both the Akwesasne Cultural Center and The Wild Center, into a new book featuring his paintings. Featuring both an English and Mohawk translation, the book is available for purchase at the Akwesasne Cultural Center and at the Wild Supply Co.

To visit the Akwesasne Cultural Center: The Center is located at 321 NY 37 in Akwesasne. Contact the Center at 518-358-2240 or visit akwesasneculturalcenter.org for more information.

CREATURE FEATURE

Brookies. Many an angler dreams of catching one of these beauties, which are native to the Adirondacks. But you don’t have to convince somebody to reveal the location of their favorite fishing hole: dozens are swimming at The Wild Center.

NAME: Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)

DIET: Lots of insects: larval, pupal and adult aquatic insects, and terrestrial insects that fall into the water. But brook trout will also go after larger meals, including frogs, crustaceans, smaller fish and sometimes small mammals.

SIZE: Anywhere from 10–25 inches and 0.6—6.6 lbs.

KNOW YOUR FISH: Brook trout have several distinguishing features. They’re covered with a constellation of light spots on their skin, which is dark green or brown. But there are several other telltale signs you’re looking at a brookie: Each of those red spots is surrounded by a blue halo. Their lower fins have a white leading edge. And there are wormlike marks on their backs.

FISH FINDER: Brook trout can be found in rivers, streams, lakes and ponds across the eastern United States, from Canada all the way to Georgia. They were once the most common fish in the Adirondacks, but because of the introduction of other species, they’ve been squeezed out of many places they once thrived. Today, you can find them in isolated streams and ponds at higher elevations, where the water is extra-cold and those other species haven’t been introduced.

SHRINKING HABITAT: Isolated strains of brook

Courtesy Charlie Reinertsen

trout evolve in distinct ways. And because of environmental pressures, such as pollution and predators, some of these strains are in danger of dying out. Near The Wild Center, in the Saranac Lakes Wild Forest, only 3 percent of the waters that once held brook trout still do.

The Wild Center has several one-of-a-kind strains on exhibit. In fact, we may be the only place in the world where you can see some of these distinct strains together.