French Teens Discover Mohawk Culture
ST. REGIS MOHAWK RESERVATION - A group of 40 visiting French teenagers had the chance this week to experience Native American customs in action as they watched traditional dance, tried out musical instruments and toured displays at the Akwesasne Museum.
For many, it was their first exposure to the culture which is marked by traditional costumes, decorative beadwork, intricate basketry work and spirituality.
Two Mohawk girls, Kaiahtenhtas "Cuppa" Thompson, 11, and her sister, Teiohrahserahs "Hunter" Cook, 9, sang songs in their native language.
They also and performed a smoke dance under the watchful eye of their mother, Kanertehawi "Marlana" E. Thompson, who sewed their brightly-colored dresses.
"Akwesasne means land where the partridge drums," Mrs. Thompson told students. "In this region, we are also famous for our rapids. That's why we have the power dams here."
Displays at Akwesasne Museum, 321 Route 37, include Iroquois feathered headdresses, antique lacrosse sticks, miniature longhouses, a variety of handmade baskets, wampum, a dugout canoe, beadwork, cradleboards used for carrying babies and more.
The Mohawk tribe is part of the Iroquois Confederacy and comprised of three major clans - wolf, bear and turtle. Children are members of their mother's clan.
"New babies are presented in the longhouse. Their name is announced and which clan they belong to," Ms. Thompson said.
Eloise B. Larquet, 17, a French student who is staying with Emily A. Parker, 16, Canton, said she enjoyed the opportunity to see Native American dancing, music and clothes.
"It's good to know they are still practicing their culture," Ms. Larquet said.
Anthony Verdier, 16, was impressed with a large eagle display that was sculpted from deer horns and appeared to be soaring in the air.
Ms. Thompson said her daughters learned their native Mohawk language at home and through an immersion school and later were taught to speak English.
"It surprised me that they learned to speak Mohawk before they learned English," Mr. Verdier said. He stayed with Zachary A. Hutcheson, 17, Canton.
The French students departed Thursday evening after spending the past 10 days staying with host families in Potsdam and Canton.
Each year, the annual exchange matches up students from Canton Central's Hugh C. Williams High and Potsdam High with teens from Lycee Remi Belleau, a high school in Nogent-le-Rotrou, located about 60 miles southwest of Paris.
This year, 19 French students stayed in Canton, while 21 stayed in Potsdam. They were also joined by three chaperones.
In April, students from Canton and Potsdam will travel to France to stay two weeks with French families, reconnecting with the student they hosted.
This year marked the 20th anniversary of the exchange which was launched in the 1990-91 school year by Janice Brown, a former French teacher at Potsdam Central.
She started the program after participating in a Fulbright Teacher Exchange, teaching English at Lycee Remi Belleau.
Patty A. Moosbrugger, a French teacher at Potsdam High, said the exchange has remained successful for two decades largely because of the strong support received from all three schools involved.
"We see the immense value in the program, and we have the support of our communities here and there," Mrs. Moosbrugger said. "The students make a human connection. They are adolescents no matter what their nationality."
The French students participated in several other activities during their North Country visit.
Daytrips included Ottawa, Titus Mountain and the Wild Center in Tupper Lake. Locally, they visited area colleges, the sugar shack at Potsdam High, Traditional Arts in Upstate New York, Canton, and the Frederic Remington Art Museum, Ogdensburg. They also spent a day at school with their host.
The group is scheduled to tour Boston today before departing for Paris.
