Tha’teioneniienawa’khontie: In the Spirit of Cooperation

Phonetically Pronounced: Ta-day-yoon-on-nee-yon-ah-wah’-koon-jay (Click to hear how it is pronounced)

A new fund in honour of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples is now a reality thanks to the recent (and ongoing), journey of learning of a local woman.

Our newest donor (who wishes to remain anonymous), has experienced the growth and transformation that comes from a personal journey, and being open to new experiences, learnings, and perspectives. In July 2019, our donor had the good fortune to witness an Inuit wedding party climb a hill on the vast and stark tundra of Greenland. The bride and groom, dressed in traditional Inuit clothing, walked hand in hand. With them were elders and children of the community. “That sight, those people jumped into my heart and soul” said our new donor.

Her desire for knowledge led her to read extensively about Indigenous Peoples. She read about the horror of residential schools and the beauty and wonder of Indigenous culture and traditions.  As her knowledge grew, so did her respect and admiration of Indigenous Peoples; their resilience and their strength.

When the donor approached CFKA Executive Director Tina Bailey to discuss a possible donation to establish a fund, it didn’t take long for the discussion to uncover her passion, and the idea of the fund was born!

To help establish the purpose of the fund (which will define what projects the fund will support), a meeting was scheduled with three respected local Indigenous leaders. After a thoughtful and meaningful discussion, the group collectively determined the name of the new fund: Tha’teioneniienawa’khontie, a Mohawk phrase which means ‘In the Spirit of Cooperation’.

The cooperative and respectful spirit of that meeting was a meaningful beginning to the new fund. The intent of the fund was collectively defined:  to support projects led by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples to nurture the healing and wellness of the Katarokwi community and Indigenous People in the area served by the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area. Projects to support young people will be especially encouraged.

To be inclusive of three local languages: Mohawk, Anishinaabe, and English, a competition is being held to find an image representative of the fund in a style that is reflective of Anishinaabe design and techniques. Details on this call for submission can be found below.

Tha’teioneniienawa’khontie: In the Spirit of Cooperation is a fund created in respect for traditional ways. The donor of the fund believes that by learning from the past, we will help build a better future.

Additional Fund Updates

June 28, 2021: An anonymous donor commemorates the lives of Indigenous children lost at residential schools through the Tha’teioneniienawa’khontie: In the Spirit of Cooperation Fund

September 14, 2021: Anonymous donor sparks action and reflection.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS FOR ART

Indigenous artists, students, and community members are invited to submit a drawing to represent the fund on the Foundation’s website and on printed material. Preference of a design submitted by a youth (under 21) is being considered. The image should be in the Anishinaabe style of art, and reflective of the name and intent of the Fund:  Tha’teioneniienawa’khontie: In the Spirt of Cooperation.

A $100 honorarium will be presented to the artist of the selected work. Submissions may be hard copy or electronic.  (If hard copy, the artwork must be of a size and have sharp enough lines and details that can be photographed to create a high resolution digital image.)

Submissions should be sent to info@cfka.org or delivered to the Community Foundation office (when safe to do so) at 275 Ontario Street Suite #100. Deadline for submission:  May 15, 2020.  Please include your name, phone number, email address and any desired explanation about the piece with your submission.  

Miigwech, Nyawen’ko: wa, Thank you.