North Country Live, a series of live webinars created over the summer in order to offer insight into topics such as wellness, personal finance, and Adirondack history, will be returning this fall with a focus on Indigenous Voices of the Adirondacks. Through three online programs, the North Country Live Fall Series will bring to light the history and traditions of the Mohawk Tribe at Akwesasne, and the challenges they have faced amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The programs are free, but require participants to register in advance at this link to receive an invitation to the session.

Oct. 1, 7 p.m., “Tribal History Part One: The Early History of Akwesasne,” with Darren Bonaparte, director of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Historic Preservation Office. This program will focus on the new indigenous community established on the St. Lawrence River at the dawn of the Seven Years War and explore its history through the American Revolution and up to the War of 1812.

Oct. 15, 7 p.m., “Tribal History Part Two: Akwesasne in the Nineteenth Century,” with Darren Bonaparte (pictured at left). This program will focus on a time of tremendous change for the Akwesasne community, which led to a resurgence of old leadership traditions and a cultural revival that continues today.

Oct. 29, 7 p.m., “Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Akwesasne,” hosted by Bruce Kelly, coordinator of Campus and Student Life at NCCC’s Malone campus. Bruce will lead a guided discussion with panelists on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and Saint Regis Mohawk Health Services. Panelists will share their experiences and perspectives on responding to the pandemic.

Each seminar will end with the opportunity for a Q&A from the host. The North Country Live: Fall Series! will be sponsored by North Franklin Credit Union.

In addition to this triad of programs, the college will be offering a free screening of the award-winning short film Ohero:Kon (Under the Husk) by Katsitsiooni Fox on Thursday, September 24 at 7:30 p.m.  Ohero:Kon follows the story of two Mohawk girls as they partake in a traditional rites of passage to become Mohawk women. Registration for this screening is separate, and can be found by clicking this link.

Photo of Darren Bonaparte/provided