Faith, love and support
A look at modern day Maria's Gas Bar as it stands today, now names Mohawk Gas Bar in Kanehsatà:ke. (Courtesy: Google Maps)
Story told by Allen Simon
I recently experienced another loss in my family, Linda Simon. This loss brought back memories of when my brother, Linda’s husband Clarence, passed away back in March 2014 on a Saturday. I was at Maria’s Gas Bar with a friend when I received a call from my nieces. They told me that their dad was dying, and they needed help from me. My brother was in distress, and he needed someone to talk to in our language, to provide support during this difficult time.
When I arrived, I immediately began speaking to him in our language, gently rubbing his head and holding his hands. As we talked, my brother’s condition began to worsen, and we could see him slipping away.
Finally, at 2:30, my brother passed away.
With all my heart, I was there to help him on his journey, making sure he didn't face it alone. It’s moments like these that remind me of the importance of faith and gratitude towards our Creator. We are never truly alone, and we must never forget the presence of our Creator in our lives. This is the way I choose to operate, with faith, love and support for those in need.
KANIEN’KÉHA VERSION
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KANIEN’KÉHA VERSION ↓
Tewehtáhkwen, kanoronhkwáhtshera' tánon' kaia'takehnháhtshera'
(Credit: Louis Hall)
Allen Simon ROKÁ:RATON
Ken' nahè:'a ó:ia' tseià:ta tsontia'tóntion akhwá:tsire', Linda Simon. Né: kí:ken tsontia'tóntion sonkwehiahráhkwen' ne iatiatate'kèn:'a, né:ne Linda ró:ne Clarence, shahrénheie' Enniskó:wa 2014 shiiohserò:ten Entákta niwenhnisero'ténhne'. Maria's Gas Bar shieiákene'skwe' ontiatén:ro shontonkwaiontewennátahse' ne kheionhwaten'okòn:'a. Wa'onkhró:ri' ronwa'níha renhé:ions, tánon' teionatonhontsoníhne' akheié:nawa'se'. Teho'nikonhrhá:rahkwe' iatiatate'kèn:'a, tánon' tehotonhontsoníhne' nónhka'k tahnithá:ren' tsi niiakwawennò:ten, ahonwaia'takéhnha' tsi nikarì:wes kí:ken roterihwanoronhstén:ni.
Shiahà:kewe', oksá'stsi wa'katewennón:tahkwe' tsi niiakwawennò:ten wahihtháhrhahse', kwah iekèn:'a tsi wahinontsistohserón:ko' tánon' rihsnonhsawà:kon. Tsi nikarì:wes wa'tiakenihthá:ren', sénha ki' taho'serón:nenhte' iatiatate'kèn:'a, sok wa'onkwató:kenhse' tsi rotohetstonhátie'.
Kháre' ki' ó:nen, tékeni sha'tewahsén:nen shitiohwistà:'e, wahatóhetste' ne iatiatate'kèn:'a.
Kwah keriahsakwé:kon tho í:ke'skwe' wahiié:nawa'se' naonsahahtén:ti'. Orihwí:io wa'kón:ni' tsi iah tha'tahoià:tiste'. Nó:nen ken' neniá:wen'ne' ensewakehiahráhkwen' tsi niiorihowá:nen ne aontahtshehtáhkhwake' tánon' tahtshenonhweratónhseke' ne Shonkwaia'tíson'. Iah kwah nonwén:ton teiontionhà:'a tánon' tóhsa nonwén:ton níha aonsaionkwa'nikónhrhen' tsi Shonkwaia'tíson' tewakwekonhátie' tsi tiónhnhe'. Ken' ní:ioht kerákwas akaterihwahténtia'te', aontakehtáhkhwake', akhenorónhkhwake', tánon' akheia'takehnháhseke' tsi niiá:kon teiakotonhontsó:ni.
Edited by: Jonathan Turenne - Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Translated by: Sahawisó:ko' Arquette