Our Story
The Society
Akwesasne Kahwatsi:re Genealogy & Historical Society is a non-profit organization run by volunteers who have a passion for local history and genealogy. Our office hosts a growing number of resources including local church records, newspaper & obituary clippings, books & magazines, and a family tree database. Events include guest speakers and research trips. Join Kahwatsi:re and dig deep into your family history!
Objectives
To promote the appreciation of our Mohawk heritage through meetings, publications and workshops
To work in collaboration with other organizations whose goals we share
To make available the resources of our historical and genealogical heritage
To initiate historical and genealogical research
To log, preserve and archive unpublished documents and unfinished works
To provide training to those interested in doing genealogical research
To create a computer database for Akwesasne which will simplify genealogical research
To collect and preserve photographs and historical information about Akwesasne Mohawks of the past which will add depth to the genealogical data
To establish policies and standards by which the organization will operate that will respect the confidentiality and sensitivity of the source material such as family records
The Meaning of the Symbol
At the center of the symbol is the fire, which represents the family, the clan and the Nation
Above the fire is Grandmother Moon, the mother of all mothers, who watches over the working of the family, clan and Nation from high above the world
The fire and moon are located within the outline of the Tree of Peace, which represents the family and peace in which the families truly prosper
The white roots of the tree represent our ancestors, having long since returned to the earth but who keep us bonded to it
The overlapping squares behind the tree represent the various Nations of the Iroquois who migrated to Akwesasne and joined the community