A gift from the MOHAWKS OF THE BAY OF QUINTE KENHTÈ:KE KANYEN’KEHÁ:KA

 

Ohèn:ton Karihwatéhkwen

In oral tradition, the Rotinonhsyón:ni  “open” gatherings of people with the Ohén:ton Karihwatéhkwen, commonly referred to as the “Opening Address” or the “Thanksgiving Address”. A more literal translation, in the words of Elder Tom Porter is “what we say before we do anything important”.

This ceremony acknowledges and recognizes the importance and relationship of all life forces in Creation. The purpose is to bring the minds of everyone at the gathering together as one.

Below is a short version of the Ohén:ton Karihwatéhkwen; there are many written versions, all reflecting the same purpose. In oral tradition, as the Speaker is speaking in the moment and from his heart, rarely will the exact wording be used each time it is conducted

Mohawk	English
Kentsyóhkwa sewatahonsí:yohst kén’ nikarihwéhsha	Everyone (the group) listen well for a short time.
Ne kati tentshitewanonhwera:ton ne Shonkwaya’tishon ne wahi rohsa’anyon tsi naho:ten teyo’tawenrye ne kentho tsi ohwentsya:te.	I will give thanks to the Creator for the things that go about on the earth.
Akwé:kon énhska entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon teyethinonhwera:tons ne onkwe’shon:’a.  Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.	We will make our minds one and give thanks to the people.  Now our minds are one.
Akwé:kon énhska entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon teyethinonhwera:tons ne yethinihstenha tsi ohwentsya:te.Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.	We will make our minds one and give thanks to our mother the earth.  Now our minds are one.
Akwé:kon énhska’t entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon teyethinonhwera:tons ne ohneka’shon:’a.  Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.	We will make our minds one and give thanks to the waters.  Now our minds are one.
Akwé:kon énhska’t entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon teyethinonhwera:tons ne kentsyon’kshon:’a.  Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.	We will make our minds one and give thanks to the fish.  Now our minds are one.
Akwé:kon énhska’t entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon teyethinonhwera:tons ne ohtera’shon:’a.    Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.	We will make our minds one and give thanks for the roots.  Now our minds are one.
Akwé:kon énhska’t entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon teyethinonhwera:tons ne ohente’shon:’a.  Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.	We will make our minds one and give thanks for the grasses.  Now our minds are one.
Akwé:kon énhska’t entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon teyethinonhwera:tons ne ononhkwa’shon:’a. Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.	We  will make our minds one and give thanks to the medicines.  Now our minds are one.
Akwé:kon énhska’t entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon teyethinonhwera:tons ne otsinonwa’shon:’a.  Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.	We will make our minds one and give thanks to the bugs.  Now our minds are one.
Akwé:kon énhska’t entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon teyethinonhwera:tons ne tyonnhehkwen.  Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.	We will make our minds one and give thanks to the sustenance foods.  Now our minds are one.
Akwé:kon énhska’t entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon teyethinonhwera:tons ne kahi’kshon:’a.  Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.	We will make our minds one and give thanks for the fruit.  Now our minds are one.
Akwé:kon énhska’t entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon teyethinonhwera:tons ne kontirio.  Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.	We will make our minds one and give thanks for the animals.  Now our minds are one.
Akwé:kon énhska’t entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon teyethinonhwera:tons ne karonta’shon:’a.  Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.	We will make our minds one and give thanks for the trees.  Now our minds are one.
Akwé:kon énhska’t entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon teyethinonhwera:tons ne otsi’ten’okon:’a.    Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikonhra.	We will make our minds one and give thanks for the birds.  Now our minds are one.
Akwé:kon énhska’t entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon teyethinonhwera:tons ne kaye:ri nikawera:ke.  Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.	We will make our minds one and give thanks for the four winds.  Now our minds are one.
Akwé:kon énhska’t entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon tetshitewanonhera:tons ne etshitewa’tsi:’a entyekhenhnekha karahkwa.  Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.	We will make our minds one and give thanks for our elder brother the sun.  Now our minds are one.
Akwé:kon énhska’t entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon teyethinonhwera:tons ne yethihsotha ahsonthennekha karahkwa.  Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.	We will make our minds one and give thanks for our grandmother moon.  Now our minds are one.
Akwé:kon énhska’t entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon teyethinonhwera:tons ne ostistohkaronnyon.  Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.	We will make our minds one and give thanks for the stars.  Now our minds are one.
Akwé:kon énhska’t entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon tetshitewanonhwera:tons ne Shonkwaya’tishon tsi niyoyaneres nahoten’shon:’a rosa’anyon ne sken:nen aetewatonnyonhseke.  Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.	We will make our minds one and give thanks for our Creator for the good things we will continue to think peacefully about.
O:nen tho niyore wa’katerihwatkwé:ni, tokat othe:nen shonke’nikónhrhen, i:se ki’ ne’e aesewatashón:teron.  É:tho’k nikawén:nake.	Now I have done all I can do, if there is anything I have forgotten, it’s up to you to fix it.  That is all.