Tha’teioneniienawa’khontie: In the Spirit of Cooperation Fund

Established in 2020 by an anonymous donor, Tha’teioneniienawa’khontie is a Mohawk phrase which means ‘In the Spirit of Cooperation’.  Phonetically Pronounced: Ta-day-yoon-on-nee-yon-ah-wah’-koon-jay (Click to hear how it is pronounced)

Our hearts are heavy as we continue to learn of the hundreds of children buried in unmarked graves on former residential school grounds, most recently from The Stó:lō Nation in B.C.’s Fraser Valley. More than 150,000 children were forced to attend residential schools in Canada from the 1830s to 1997. It is an atrocity, and our hearts are with Indigenous communities. The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation says around 4,100 children died at the schools, based on death records, but adds that the true total is likely much higher. 

The intent of the fund called Tha’teioneniienawa’khontie 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. Learn more about the history of the Fund.

Funding Impact

The grant recipients of the Fund as of March 2024:

• Kingston Native Centre & Language Nest 
  Ndoo-miijiminaanin – an Indigenous Food Sovereignty project delivered by Kingston Indigenous Language Nest in partnership with Loving Spoonful
• Great Lakes Museum
  Indigenous-Environmental Inner Harbour Paddle Tour
• Frontenac County Schools Museum Association
  “Three Sisters” Museum Garden Project Extension
• Queen’s University
  Queen’s University Indigenous Land-based Learning STEM (QUILLS)
• Kingston School of Art
  “Mashkawizii Miinikaanan: Strong Seeds”. Delivered by Modern Fuel Artist-Run Centre in partnership with Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre and Kingston Native Centre & Language Nest

While funding is not the only answer to the reconciliation and reparation that is needed, it is an important part.  The donor thought that instead of a few large donors, it would be more heartwarming and impactful if hundreds of small donors showed support for the fund.

We invite you to make a gift of any amount to this fund show your support.

We encourage you to continue to learn and think about other individual actions you can take to support the Truth and Reconciliation process. Visit the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada’s website to see their final report and calls to action.