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Tap or Click for Cornwall Transit Shuttle Bus Schedule - sponsored by the St Regis Mohawk Tribe Community Partnership.
The Akwesasne International Pow-Wow is held annually in September on the weekend immediately following Labor Day, at the A'nowara'ko:wa Arena on Cornwall Island, Ontario.
On the shores by the beautiful St. Lawrence River, visitors can enjoy a two day event with good music, good food and good company. The Akwesasne Pow-Wow brings together the best Native artisans, drummers and dancers from this region.
The pow-wow allows us to join with other First Nations from across Canada and the United States to share in this great gathering, it also allows visitors from many nations to participate in this exciting cultural experience.
Enjoy and take part in the 'fastest dance on two feet', with our Iroquois Smoke Dancers. This dance got its name back when the people would dance around the fire pit causing air to circulate, and thus helping the fire embers ignite.
It is our hope that this time spent together will bring us to a better understanding of one another and foster a strong bond of peace and friendship with our neighbours of all cultures.
The gates open to the public at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday and the festivities start with a spectacular grand entry at noon with all the beautifully dressed dancers. You will have an opportunity to purchase some home made Native food and enjoy a cool strawberry drink or lemonade, while you browse through the vendors area to find that one of a kind keepsake.
All travellers entering Canada from the United States are required to report directly to the CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) border crossing in the city of Cornwall as required under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Customs Act. Once processed by CBSA travellers will be able to continue to their destination in the City of Cornwall or back to Cornwall Island.
Please open the PDF document for BORDER CROSSING TIPS.
AKWESASNE INTERNATIONAL POW-WOW
A'nowara'ko:wa Arena
days
hours
minutes
Head Staff
Niawen ko:wa to our 2022 Head Staff. We appreciate your focus and dedication to the smooth running of our powwow!
ARENA DIRECTOR:
Jordan Williams White-Eye
Bkejwanong Territory
CO-EMCEE:
Adrian Harjo
CO-EMCEE & SMOKE DANCE SINGER:
Bill Crouse
Salamanca NY - Seneca Nation
HEAD SMOKE DANCE JUDGE:
Solan Spruce
Syracuse NY - Seneca Nation
HEAD DANCE JUDGE:
Christal Ratt
Kitignik QC
HEAD DRUM JUDGE:
Kevin Syrette
Batchewanna First Nation
HEAD VETEREN:
John McComber
Kahnawake QC
HOST DRUMS:
Black Bear and Crazy Spirit
Sponsors
The Akwesasne International PowWow would like to thank our faithful sponsors. Without their unwavering support, an event of this magnitude could not take place.
Niawen Ko:wa to the following for your generous contribution to the Akwesasne PowWow ~ -St Regis Tribe Community Partnership
-St Regis Mohawk Tribe Community Partnership
-Upper Canada District School Board
-Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario
Niawen ko:wa to our local community businesses for your sponsorship
-Rotary Club of Cornwall Sunrise
-BMO
-CAA Management
-Brass Horse
-Lazore's Construction
-Hummingbird Gift Shop
-Julia Back & Family
-CKON
-Indian Time
-Seaway Bridge Authority
Accomodations
Host Motels
Mention Akwesasne Powwow for special rates for our Cornwall hotels
Best Western - Cornwall
1515 Vincent Massey Drive, Cornwall, ON
Phone: (613) 932-0451
Super 8 - Cornwall
2694 Brookdale Avenue, Cornwall, ON
Phone: (613) 932-8888
Comfort Inn - Cornwall
1625 Vincent Massey Drive, Cornwall, ON
Phone: (613) 937-0111
For our American guests, contact...
Akwesasne Mohawk Casino
873 State Route 37
Hogansburg, NY 13655
518-595-9184
Comfort Inn - Akwesasne NY
865 State Highway 37, 13655 Hogansburg, (next to casino)
Phone: (518) 358-1000
Special Guests
Check out our tipi area to experience Native artisans stepping back in time.
Powwow Etiquette
There are several guidelines that you should know as a courtesy to the Powwow participants: Powwows are fun events, but they are also sacred events. Ceremonial songs and dances, which are sacred, are performed from time to time throughout the powwow.People should stand during all ceremonial songs and dances. These include the Grand Entry, Flag Songs, Veteran Songs, Honor Songs, and any other songs that the M.C. designates as a ceremonial song - Please stand quietly out of respect and always remove your hat/headgear.
People should listen to the M.C. as he will announce the different songs and will also let people know when they can dance and when they cannot. He will also give you other information and news.
Do not take any photos, videos or sound recordings of ceremonies without prior permission from the person or group you are recording. Some areas of Turtle Island to not allow the recording of ceremonies. Photography is permited only at certain times; listen to the M.C. for details. If you would like to photograph individuals, please ask them for their permission first and respect their decision.The dancers wear "regalia" while they are dancing, NOT "costumes". People should NOT touch the regalia. NEVER pick up a piece of a dancer's outfit. Point out the item to the dancer and they will retrieve it.
No Dogs are Allowed on the powwow grounds except for service animals.
Do NOT walk across the dance arena, the chairs around the dance arena are for the dancers. You can bring your own chairs, or there are bleachers for you to sit in.
DO NOT BRING ALCOHOL OR DRUGS TO A POWWOW!!!
Dance Competition Rules
Point System - all contestants will have two "go rounds".
Once registered, you cannot change categories. Points can be accumulated through willingness to participate in Grand Entry, Intertribals, Exhibitions, Spot Checks and Contests. You must enter Grand Entry with your proper dance and age category. #'s must be on your left side and visible at all times. All dancers must be completely ready during Grand Entry. All dancers must contest only in the category they are registered in. **Parents: please ensure that your children dance in the correct categories. Each dancer will be given only one number at registration. Lost numbers will not be reissued. Contest songs will be in drum rotation. There will be no warm-ups; Intertribals only. Any dispute concerning a contest must be brought to the attention of the Head Judge directly after the contest song, otherwise complaints will be void. Final decisions rest with the Head Judge and/or Arena Director, in consultation with the Powwow committee. In a fair contest, dancers are not to be related to a dance judge by blood, marriage, or adoption. Failure on the part of the dancer to inform the Head Judge or Arena Director of a familial relationship to a judge will result in disqualification for that session. In the event of a dance off, all dancers involved will be given three (3) chances to appear in the dance area. No points will be awarded in a dance off. No whistles during contest songs. Only Tiny Tots can move up an age category If any major item falls off, the competitor is disqualified for that session only. Intoxicants and/or drugs - anyone using these substances will be disqualified and removed from the grounds.The Akwesasne International Powwow committee and the sponsors of the event are not liable for accidents, damages, injuries, lost or stolen articles, or hardships.
Prize Payouts
| Category | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
| Tiny Tots receive day money | ||||
| Junior's Trad, Grass, Jingle, Fancy, Smoke, Age 6-12 | $200 | $100 | $50 | $25 |
| Teen's Trad, Grass, Jingle, Fancy, Smoke, Age 13-17 | $400 | $300 | $200 | $100 |
| Jr. Adults Trad, Grass, Jingle, Fancy, 18-34 | $800 | $600 | $400 | $200 |
| Sr. Adults Trad, Grass, Jingle, Fancy, 35-54 | $800 | $600 | $400 | $200 |
| Golden Age 55+ Combined | $800 | $600 | $400 | $200 |
| Jr. Smoke 18-34 | $800 | $600 | $400 | $200 |
| Sr. Smoke 35+ | $800 | $600 | $400 | $200 |
| Big Drum Contest | $5000 | $4000 | $3000 | $2000 |
| Blanket dance will be done for non-placing drums.for travel money. |
------------------------------------------- DANCE SPECIALS: COMMITTEE SPECIALS!! |
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Contact us / Directions
You may zoom in and out for a better view
FROM OTTAWA: Take the 417 E. to Monkland/Cornwall/Hwy 138 exit, and turn right onto Hwy 138, towards Cornwall. Continue to "T" in the road and turn right onto Hwy 138/Cornwall Centre Road. Continue then turn left onto Hwy 138/Brookdale Ave. Continue on Brookdale Ave. and follow signs towards AKWESASNE. Go thru tolls, and across bridge to Cornwall Island, turn left at STOP sign. Turn left on Philip Hops Road/Arena Road towards the Anowara'ko:wa Arena/powwow grounds.
FROM MONTREAL: Take the 20 W., it becomes the 401 in Ontario. Take Exit 789/Brookdale Ave. & turn left on Brookdale Ave. Follow signs to AKWESASNE. Go thru tolls, and across bridge to Cornwall Island, turn left at STOP sign. Turn left on Phillip Hops Road/Arena Road towards the Anowara'ko:wa Arena/powwow grounds.
FROM THE USA: Follow Rte. 37 to Bridge to Canada. Go over Bridge and report directly to the CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) border crossing in the city of Cornwall as required under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Customs Act. Once processed by CBSA, travellers will be able to continue back to Cornwall Island. Turn left at STOP sign. Turn left on Phillip Hops Road/Arena Road towards the Anowara'ko:wa Arena/powwow grounds.
NOTE:
Canadians: When leaving the powwow from Cornwall Island, you will be required to report to Cdn. customs upon re-entry into Cornwall/Canada.
Americans: When leaving the powwow from Cornwall Island, you will need to report to U.S. customs.