|
|
TYENDINAGA |
|
| BACK TO HOME PAGE | BACK | BACK TO LEARNING LONGHOUSE |
|
Tyendinaga Mohawk
Territory is a reserve located on the shores of the Bay of Quinte,
approximately 80 miles east of Belleville and 50 miles west of Kingston,
Ontario. The English translation of Tyendinaga is “placing the wood
together.” It is derived from “Thayendanegea”, Joseph Brant’s Mohawk
name.
Captain John
Deserontyon/Deseronto was the recognized military leader of the Fort
Hunter Mohawks of the Mohawk Valley, the forefathers of the Mohawks of
the Bay of Quinte. After the Revolutionary War, he founded the Mohawk
village at Tyendinaga in 1784, and negotiated the formal granting of the
land from the British Crown in 1793. Upon arrival on the shores of the
Bay of Quinte in 1784, there were approximately 20 families or 100
individuals. As of 1996, the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte number over
6,000 with those resident on the Territory numbering approximately
2,200. Originally referred to as the Mohawk tract, Tyendinaga began as a
land grant of 92,700 acres by the Lt. Gov. of Upper Canada in 1793. ("Simcoe
Deed") Over the years the Territory has been reduced through
land surrenders to approximately 18,000 acres. |
 Monument to Landing of the Mohawks |
 |
The first
Community Centre at Tyendinaga was built in 1850. The current
centre was built in 1971-72 and renovated in 1989. It is used by
individuals and organizations for a variety of functions, from wedding
receptions to dances, to general community meetings.
The Quinte
Mohawk School (K-8) was opened for the 1973-74 school year. In
1991, an addition was completed, including facilities for exceptional
students in a Special Needs program. The School offers programs such as
the Mohawk Language program which teaches Mohawk at all grade levels;
and the Arts and Crafts program which focuses on the Woodland style of
arts, crafts, and design in leather, clay and beadwork.
The
Administration Office is the centralized location for
administration and coordination of Tyendinaga programs and services. The
office is also headquarters for Tyendinaga Mohawk Council where the
Chief's Office and Council Chambers are located. Tyendinaga Mohawk
Territory has had community-based administration since 1956.
Tyendinaga's housing subdivision is located on Huron Brant
Drive. Construction started in 1986, and as of 1993, 54 houses were
completed, many built by native workers, and a park for the neighborhood
children. |
|
The
Annual
Mohawk Fair, first held in 1901, celebrates the Harvest. The
Fair is traditionally held on the second weekend in September at the
Community Centre. Organized by the Mohawk Agricultural Society, the
Mohawk Fair features arts, crafts and harvest displays, horse pulls, mud
drags and a demolition derby.
|
The
Mohawk
Airport is currently the home of First Nations Air Service
(flight school and air charter service) and an industrial park for local
businesses.
Tyendinaga's Library, Ka:nhiote, meaning "rainbow" when translated to English , first opened in 1989. Located on the York Road just east of Quinte Mohawk School, the library features magazines, paperbacks, easy-reading materials, videocassettes, and a special collection of books pertaining to Native themes and authors.
Maracle Mohawk Centre Indian Gift Shop
|