Visitors learn kernels of culture at Kahnawake's annual Corn Fest - Action News
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Indigenous

Visitors learn kernels of culture at Kahnawake's annual Corn Fest

Corn is an an important part of Kanienkeh:ka culture, and was the focus of a day-long festival aimed at promoting reconciliation between two neighbouring communities.

'People are hungry to learn about us,' says Skanai:'a Deer

Corinne Mavungu-Blouin and Phillipe Boucher were among many visitors eager to learn how to make Kanienkeh:ka corn husk dolls. (Jessica Deer/CBC)

Mending relationships and promoting reconciliation throughfun and food was the goal of a corn festivalorganized between the two neighbouring communities of Kahnawake and Chteauguay, Que.

"It's important because there's so many people in Chteauguay who have never come to Kahnawake, and vice versa," said Kimberly Cross, tourism development agent at Kahnawake Tourism.

Kimberly Cross, tourism development agent in Kahnawake, organized the second annual Corn Fest, along with Maison Le Pailleur in Chteauguay, Que. (Jessica Deer/CBC)

Cross's team, along with Maison Le Pailleur inChteauguay, organized the second annual Corn Fest.

"There are differences and similarities between our cultures," said Cross.

Corn was historically important to both communities and remains a familiar food.

"We thought that was one area where we could connect and share similar things," said Cross.

From food to dolls

Corn, or :nenste in Kanien'kha, is one ofseveral festivals in Haudenosaunee'scycle of ceremonies to give thanks to the natural world. Corn represents the leader of sustenance, and has deep roots connected to the Haudenosaunee creation story.

"It's the greatest gift the creator gave us besides life and creation," said Darrell Thompson, a cultural facilitator at Tsi Niionkwarih:ten Tsitewahhara'n Center.

"It's not just sustenance. It helps with our spirit and minds. Every part of the whole corn, from the roots all the way to the tassel, is medicine."

One of those medicines is the corn husk doll.

"If you make it and if you ever put some of your clothing on there, it represents you and safeguards your spirit to be home with you," he said.

The Haudenosauneenever put faces on corn husk dolls. While the legend varies, the basic story recounts how acorn husk doll was given a beautiful face. She would go from village to village to play with the childrenbut grew conceited, spending her days staring in the water at her reflection. Eventually, she fell in and her face rinsed off.

Kara Dawne Zemel and her daughter Nola were among the many community members to participate in the corn husk doll workshop. (Jessica Deer/CBC)

"The humbleness and greatness of a corn husk doll is a reminder to all to hold onto our humility, with the no face on the doll," said Thompson.

"It doesn't just represent vanity and womenbut us as a whole in how we need to exist here on Earth in a gracious and humble manner."

The story resonated with CorinneMavungu-Blouin, a student at the University of Sherbrooke, who was one of the many people to learn how to make a doll withSkanai:'a Deer at the festival.

"I really liked when she told us the story about the history," she said.

"I remember in schoolwe did this in arts, but I didn't know the whole history."

For Deer, the experience was equally enjoyable.

"It's nice to share it with everybody. People are hungry to learn about us," she said.

Corn husk dolls are made by tying together the dried husks of a corn cob. (Jessica Deer/CBC)
Skanai:'a Deer rolls a small husk tight to make the doll's arms. (Jessica Deer/CBC)
String is used to fasten the doll's head, body and limbs. (Jessica Deer/CBC)