Established: July of 1983
CULTURAL CORNER
This weekly feature was begun due to a request from many Akwesasne Longhouse leaders, elders, and community members that we include more cultural information in the newspaper. The information is not all my own, but a culmination of what I gather from listening or interviewing. Many of the elders I interview do not feel comfortable with their names being mentioned. No one wants to give the impression that they are the top authority on our ways of life. Feel free to comment or add something.
NIA:WEN!
BY: PHIL PRESTON
INDIAN TIME - VOLUME 22 - NUMBER 7 - FEBRUARY 19, 2004 EDITION
At the end of meals we say, and often hear people around the table say, "Nia:wen," aloud. Of course, then everyone acknowledges that word of thanks with a response. Years ago I asked, "Why does everyone answer when someone says thank you after a meal?" The elder at that time answered with, "Because everyone heard it."
A seed is planted or an animal is born. As human beings, we have learned how to plant seeds properly in the ground and water them as needed, then nurture the plant to grow to full maturity so that we may harvest the food plants. Similar for the animals, we learn how animals behave in the wild so that we may be successful in hunting, but also so that we do not deplete the animal population. All steps of planting, gardening, harvesting, and hunting take a lot of work. When we say, "Nia:wen" at the end of a meal we are acknowledging the work everyone has done in gathering seeds, planting, gardening, harvesting, and hunting. Then, we also acknowledge the work in preparing the meal. By a simple expression of gratitude at the end of a meal we are thinking of all the steps in getting that food to the table and into our bellies.
Shonkwaiatison created us and put us here on the earth that his grandmother made. Shonkwaiatison enriched this land with many more plants, trees, medicines and all manner of animal life: birds, deer, insects, fish, and so much more. Shonkwaiatison also created the rivers, oceans, ponds, and lakes filling those also with animals and food plants. In gratitude, acknowledgement, and love at the end of every meal, snack, or glass of water, all we need say is "Nia:wen," and Shonkwaiatison hears us practicing his most simple lesson. After everything was created, Shonkwaiatison only asked one thing of the people, just to say thank you. If we are truly grateful for what we have in this world, then respect for our world and resources naturally flows.
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