Over the years, some families have lost their inheritance through one means or another, so when they move back there’s nothing for them in the way of housing. Others are children of people who gave up status back in the sixties to gain the right to vote. Recent changes in the Indian Act have allowed some families to reclaim their status. These people move back to take advantage of the favourable tax laws and cheaper rents to be found on the reserve and to be closer to their people in the hopes of reconnecting to their culture.
Then there are the carloads of disappointed, camera-carrying tourists who show up looking for Indians. Unfortunately for them, they have to settle for taking shots of strip malls filled with tourist shops selling plastic Indian artifacts made in Japan. Ironically, the only “Indian” sights are transplanted totem poles and faux plains nation’s regalia.
Driving around the territory gives you hints at the poverty that pervades. Although Tyendinaga is better off then some, it still has limited economic opportunities. The few steady jobs available are controlled by the Band Council, and there have always been rumours of nepotism not far from the surface on the reserve.
Although the political climate seems somewhat less antagonistic than in former years, as recently as 1994 the council offices were occupied by dissatisfied band members. Throughout the nineties, allegations of misappropriation of funds were leveled at the Chief and his council more then once. In this small community of 2,000 people (more than twice than the amount living off-reserve) where everyone knows everyone, it’s hard to keep anything a secret, so even a whisper of impropriety gets blown up to the size of a mountain.
One of the loudest voices on the reserve is the independent newspaper, The Mohawk Nation Drummer. With no government subsidy, tribal or otherwise, they feel free to speak their minds on any issue. Local, national, and even international tribal news is prominent.
Picking up a copy of The Drummer emphasizes that you are in a different world. Aside from the predominance of ads whose sales it depends on, the similarities between it and other newspapers are slim. The news items are all related to native issues. Not once are any of the stories that so predominate our papers even mentioned. How many community papers do you know that publish excerpts from the laws that govern their chiefs (though it may be a good idea if we followed that example and published excerpts of our constitutions on a monthly basis) or supply you with such historical facts that the honey bee is not native to North America?
Article comments
1 - Cris Bomberry
Sago! Interesting site. One comment about the Mohawk Warrior Flag. It is not a Mohawk Warrior Flag. It is a Native Unity Flag or Warrior Flag. All nations, even outside of the Six Nations use this. It is just another one of those misrepresentations that still continues, just like the word "Indian" (I am sure glad Columbus wasn't looking for Turkey! hehe)
Also women cannot be clan chiefs, they are clan mothers who pick the chiefs.
Nia:Wen
Cris
Mohawk Bear Clan
2 - Richard Marcus
Hi Cris,
I was told by another member of the Bear Clan that the flag in question is the flag of the Mohawk people not a Warrior flag. It was at a PowWow in Kingston, Ont, and as the flags were being presented during the Grand Entry, this huge man came rolling up to the arbor. He waited until there was a pause in the action, and approached the M.C. and made this statement.
He is from a very traditional family, rare in this part of the world, and was visibly upset at hearing his flag be misrepresented as a "Warrior" flag-From that time in Kingston and all surounding Pow-Wows the flag has been flown in honour of the Mohawk peoples who live in the area.
Sorry about the caln chief thing, I worded that wrong-my mistake.
Nia:Wen
Richard