Sharing Our Stories is a collection of stories told by Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) elders and knowledge keepers in order to preserve culture, tradition, history and language

by communities

for communities

Elder Leonard Bordeau dances during the grand entry of Kahnawake's Echoes of a Proud Nation Powwow in 1997. That year was his second year of powwow dancing. (Courtesy: Leonard Bordeau)

Elder Leonard Bordeau dances during the grand entry of Kahnawake's Echoes of a Proud Nation Powwow in 1997. That year was his second year of powwow dancing. (Courtesy: Leonard Bordeau)

Elder Sonny Joe Cross poses in front of his vinyl collection. (Credit: Simona Rosenfield)

Elder Sonny Joe Cross poses in front of his vinyl collection. (Credit: Simona Rosenfield)

Chief Poking Fire - John McComber (Courtesy: Ni:ne McComber)

Chief Poking Fire - John McComber (Courtesy: Ni:ne McComber)

Kanien'kehá:ka activists watch the news at the barricade in Kanesatake on August 28, 1990. (Courtesy: Canadian Archives)

Kanien'kehá:ka activists watch the news at the barricade in Kanesatake on August 28, 1990. (Courtesy: Canadian Archives)

At the sugar shack in Ganienkeh, three men are seen at work as one of them brings in the maple sap harvest, pulled by two horses. Elder Mitch Deer, who was involved in various tasks around Ganienkeh, worked at this sugar shack from 1977 to 1984. (Cou

At the sugar shack in Ganienkeh, three men are seen at work as one of them brings in the maple sap harvest, pulled by two horses. Elder Mitch Deer, who was involved in various tasks around Ganienkeh, worked at this sugar shack from 1977 to 1984. (Courtesy: Mitch Deer)

Mohawk Entertainment Cuyler Church Hall, taken on January 18, 1940 in Brooklyn, New York. (Courtesy: Sonny Joe Cross)

Mohawk Entertainment Cuyler Church Hall, taken on January 18, 1940 in Brooklyn, New York. (Courtesy: Sonny Joe Cross)

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Our stories are told from the perspective of the elder or knowledge keeper who is telling it. Following Kanien’kehá:ka tradition, stories were always passed down orally and so in order to keep the story as close to oral as possible, we don’t change many words and let the elders speak for themselves. All we do is arrange the story that they decide to share.