From left, Cornwall Celtics goalie Wishe Benedict, Akwesasne Strong Roots Foundation board member Robyn Terrance, Akwesasne Strong Roots Foundation administrator Chessie White, and Celtics goalie Zac Coir at the presentation of a donation from the team to the foundation on Friday May 20, 2022 in Cornwall, Ont. Robert Lefebvre/Special to the Cornwall Standard-Freeholder/Postmedia Network PHOTO BY ROBERT LEFEBVRE /Robert Lefebvre/Special to the Standard-Freeholder
Friday’s Cornwall Jr. C Celtics game at the Benson Centre saw a special donation take place, made possible through the proceeds of the Celtic’s home opener.
A cheque for $900 was presented to representatives of Strong Roots Charitable Foundation, which is an organization focused on developing community initiatives to improve life for Akwesasne elders and youth.
“Indigenous people created this beautiful game of lacrosse that we love and… we kind of wanted to do something to give back to their community,” explained co-manager of the Jr. C Celtics, Carrie Cooper, with fellow co-manager, Laurie Williams, by her side. “So we looked for different charitable organizations and came across Strong Roots.”
Cooper and Williams are very inspired by Strong Roots’ initiatives. This includes when, in 2015, Strong Roots put a roof over the Travis Solomon Memorial Lacrosse Box located in Generations Park, and when Strong Roots donated 700 lacrosse sticks to support the Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse Program.
SAN DIEGO — The playoff-bound San Diego Seals and the Strong Roots Charitable Foundation have partnered to share the “fastest game on two feet” with Indigenous people throughout the Southern California area. Currently just a half-game back of Colorado for the West Division lead in the National Lacrosse League, the Seals are inviting tribal members to join them for FREE as they make a run for the 2022 NLL Championship — thanks to the generosity of Strong Roots.
The San Diego Seals will recognize the history and Indigenous roots of the game of lacrosse, called Tewaaraton (deh-wa-al-la-doon) in the Mohawk language. Commonly referred to as “The Creators Game” among the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois People), the game gives thanks to the Creator for the gift of lacrosse, which also serves as a medicine game that seeks good health and strong minds for individuals and the overall Indigenous community.
“Lacrosse has provided a positive outlet and an important path for myself and many other Indigenous youth in my home community of Six Nations on the Grand River,” said Seals star forward Austin Staats (Mohawk). “It also helps unite our communities and provides good medicine during some of our most difficult of times.”
Members of an Indigenous or First Nations community are welcome to attend at no cost and to cheer on the Seals in the West Division Semifinal at Pechanga Arena San Diego (3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego, CA 92110), with ticket costs covered by the Strong Roots Charitable Foundation. The game will be played on either Saturday, May 7 (at 7:00pm) or Sunday, May 8 (at 6:00pm), and the opponent is still to be determined. To claim your free ticket, visit SealsLax.com/Creator. Indigenous people must present a tribal membership/enrollment card, status card, or other identification for verification.
Based in the Mohawk community of Akwesasne along the Canada-United States border in Northern New York State, the Strong Roots Charitable Foundation has been supporting initiatives that help improve the wellbeing of Indigenous peoples since 2015. They are pleased to support the San Diego Seals professional lacrosse team in their desire to help share The Creators Game with Indigenous communities located in Southern California and elsewhere.
“We are honored to partner with the San Diego Seals and to continue the Haudenosaunee’s long tradition of sharing the gift of lacrosse with the world,” stated Strong Roots Foundation Board Member, Dianna Tarbell. “We welcome and appreciate the opportunity to share its deep cultural and historical significance as a medicine game with all of our Indigenous brothers and sisters.”
The Strong Roots Charitable Foundation is a 501c3 organization. To learn more, please visit them online at www.strongroots.org.
About San Diego Seals The playoff-bound San Diego Seals are a team in the 35-year-old National Lacrosse League (NLL), the world’s only professional box lacrosse league. The league ranks third in average attendance for professional indoor sports worldwide, behind the NBA and NHL. The Seals play their home games at Pechanga Arena San Diego, the city’s leading destination for sporting events, family shows and live entertainment. For more information, visit SealsLax.com or follow the Seals @SealsLax on social media.
AKWESASNE — A $25,000 grant from Arconic will help complete four tiny homes to provide temporary housing for Mohawk men and women on their path towards regaining their personal and cultural identity after being released from incarceration.
AKWESASNE MOHAWK TERRITORY — The Strong Roots Charitable Foundation announced it has raised $107,400 during their 6th Annual Charity Cup Golf Tournament. Held on August 27th at the Malone Golf Club, the fundraising event will help support the Foundation’s efforts to enrichen the health, safety and well-being of Akwesasne youth and elders.
“This year’s Annual Charity Cup was a tremendous success, due in part to the companies who benefit from doing business in Akwesasne. This is by far the most successful charity golf tournament we’ve held so far, which is an indication of the strong commitment and desire of businesses to help give back to our community,” said Strong Roots Charitable Foundation Administrator Chessie Thomas.
AKWESASNE MOHAWK TERRITORY — The Strong Roots Charitable Foundation and The Welcome Home Project are pleased to announce a new community initiative that will directly support the transition of returning community members from incarceration by providing resources which include safe housing and strength based peer support. The collaborative forces of these two community organizations is rooted in creating an Akwesasne community led, trauma informed response to those returning home. The partnership will help individuals released from incarceration have access to affordable, single-person living units, along with community support, resources and encouragement to acclimate their way back to their families and society.
“The Welcome Home Project believes in the power of transformation and having access to resources that contribute to one’s personal growth, so that they may enter the sacred circle of their families,” stated Jonel Beauvais, one of four (4) community members who are providing a path for formerly incarcerated community members to succeed. Beauvais added, “The vision is to build strong relationships with self, family, and community in order to effectively contribute to the wellness of our nation and our people.”
Through the 501c3 non-profit donation mechanisms of the Strong Roots Charitable Foundation, The Welcome Home Project will raise funds needed to complete four (4) tiny homes; along with a septic system, vegetable garden, children’s play area, and other furnishings needed to help Mohawk men and women on their path towards regaining their personal and cultural identity. The partnership will help fill a gap that exists in Akwesasne; as not having a healthy, supportive environment often leads to parole violations and an individual’s return to incarceration.
“The passion, strength, and determination of these community members to address a much-needed demographic of our community is what brought Strong Roots on board,” stated Dianna Tarbell, Strong Roots Charitable Foundation Treasurer. Tarbell further shared, “These homes will provide a safe space for personal growth; as well as for children’s visitation and growing a garden. It is our hope that a modest fee collected from temporary residents will help make it self-sustaining and provide for the village’s upkeep and future expansion.”
Welcome Home Project group member Pray Lazore has generously provided land for the project, which currently includes one (1) living unit that, in the past two (2) years, has assisted five (5) community members on their successful return to their families and the community. For each of the formerly incarcerated community members, they note that their successful integration back into the sacred circle of the Akwesasne community was having the support and space to do so.
To make a tax-deductible donation that will support this community initiative, please contact Strong Roots Charitable Foundation Administrator Chessie Thomas by calling (315) 296-3920 or The Welcome Home Project Representative Jonel Beauvais at (315) 705-5277. Donations can also be made online at www.strongroot.org, notate Welcome Home Project.
Pictured are (from left) Iroquois Nationals U21 Men’s Lacrosse Head Coach Mark Burnam, Strong Roots Board Member Chessie Thomas, Strong Roots Board Vice President Dianna Tarbell, Treasurer, and Iroquois Nationals Chief of Officials, Compliance and Governance Mark Martin.
Strong Roots Charitable Foundation Donates 700 Lacrosse Sticks to Iroquois Nationals Development Program
AKWESASNE MOHAWK TERRITORY — The Strong Roots Charitable Foundation is proud to announce it is helping build a strong foundation and future for a new initiative of the Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse Program. Seven hundred (700) lacrosse sticks were donated to support the Iroquois National’s efforts to share and grow the love for lacrosse through youth development clinics that will be hosted in Haudenosaunee communities. [Read more…] about Donated 700 Lacrosse Sticks to Iroquois Nationals Development Program
Follow Us!