The Black Ash Project at Akwesasne

Black ash  is an important component in making baskets for the Mohawks of Akwesasne. The goal of this project was to enhance and restore black ash resources for traditional Mohawk basketry and cultural uses in and surrounding Akwesasne. Over the years, Les Benedict and Richard David have been going around and collecting black ash seeds and sending them to the Saratoga Tree Nursery for them to send us black ash seedlings to establish black ash stands in Akwesasne.

Within the last year, ATFE signed an Adopt a Natural Resource (AANR) Agreement with NYDEC Forestry Department to manage black ash trees in the Brasher State Forest.  The SRMT Environment Division was able to get a grant from US Fish and Wildlife Service to help us  purchase the equipment needed to enhance a black ash stand  on Chapman Road and in Brasher State Forest. With the thinning of these stands to enhance black ash growth, firewood was produced as a by-product for the community of Akwesasne. This past week, the longhouse was able to benefit from the cutting and thinning of trees in Brasher State Forest with the delivery of firewood.

The Chiefs, Clanmothers, Faithkeepers and people of the Mohawk Nation would like to acknowledge and give a niawenkowa to the following people for moving the wood; Sakoiatiiosta(Dean George), David Arquette , Craig Arquette, Les Benedict, Setanta O’Ceillaigh, Ian  Cook, Nicholas Sunday, Corey Oakes, Clinton Deon, Jared Leabo, and Christian Ransom.