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  • Cultural Talk Series: Traditional Role and Responsibilities of Men - Part 1 of 3

Cultural Talk Series: Traditional Role and Responsibilities of Men - Part 1 of 3

  • 20 Jul 2021
  • 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Webinar

Cultural Talk Series: Traditional Role and Responsibilities of Men - Part 1 of 3

About this event

First Nations House & Waakebiness-Bryce Institute for Indigenous Health Event

Join us to hear about the Haudenosaunee perspective of traditional role & responsibilities of men from guest speaker, spiritual teacher, Sakokwenionkwas Tom Porter.

Thomas R. Porter (Sakokwenionkwas-“The One Who Wins”) has been the founder, spokesperson and spiritual leader of the Mohawk Community of Kanatsiohareke (Ga na jo ha lay gay) located in the Mohawk Valley near Fonda, New York since 1993. He is a member of the Bear Clan of the Mohawk Nation at Akwesasne. (Akwesasne, also known as the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation, straddles the New York State/Canadian border near Massena, New York.) He is married to Alice Joe Porter who is Choctaw, and has six children.

Mr. Porter; held the position of sub-chief for the Tehanakarine Chieftainship title, one of the nine chief titles of the Mohawk Nation, for 21 years (1971-1992). Chiefs are considered to be spiritual as well as political leaders. Some of the duties of that position were: officiating at marriage ceremonies, death ceremonies and numerous other traditional ceremonies held throughout the year.He was the director of and, a teacher at the Akwesasne Freedom School and taught at the Kahnawake Survival School. He taught Mohawk language, philosophy and history at both schools as well as carpentry at Kahnawake. The purpose of both schools is to teach all of the usual subject matter, but within a traditional Mohawk worldview and with emphasis on keeping the Mohawk language alive and vital. It is said that with the loss of language, there also is the loss of at least 50% of a people’s culture and identity

Mr. Porter worked as Secretary for the Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs for 8 years and as interpreter for 11 years. He is still called on to help out as needed, when his schedule allows

Mr. Porter organized the “White Roots of Peace”, a traveling multi-media communications group designed to revitalize Native traditions and beliefs in North America. He was the main speaker and lectured for the group at various universities and colleges all over the United States and Canada.

Currently, Mr. Porter works as the Native American consultant for the New York State Penitentiary System and as Chaplain for all of the Native inmates in the New York State Penal System. His office is located in Albany, New York, but he travels all over the state to meet with Native inmates. He confers with them, teaches and helps them conduct traditional ceremonies.

Mr. Porter has authored various books and pamphlets, all of which teach about Mohawk traditions and spirituality. The most recent one being "And Grandma Said...Iroquois Teachings", a collection of Tom's memories and teachings from his beloved Grandmother "Hattie". A collection of memories about the oral history and traditional teachings of the Haudenosaunee passed down through the generations.


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