The St. Regis Mohawk School and the
Cultural Revival of 1937
by Darren Bonaparte
(Originally published in The Peope's Voice, July 1, 2005)
When the St. Regis Mohawk School opened its doors in
September of 1937, it did so in an atmosphere of cultural revival and
pride in Akwesasne. That summer there was a Grand Council of the
Iroquois Confederacy held here, as recounted by the Massena Observer:
The
old constitution of the League of the Iroquois would serve as a
splendid document for a world peace plan of today which would unite all
English speaking people, according to Charles Davis, England, who spoke
at the colorful conclave of the Six Nations at Hogansburg yesterday
afternoon.
With a
blazing sun overhead, a crowd of about 300, composed mainly of St.
Regis Mohawk Indians but with a considerable sprinkling of white
people, heard Mr. Davis C. E. D., England, a peace advocate, explain
that not until he had formulated his plan did he learn that it was
almost an exact duplicate of the constitution adopted by the Five
Nations back in 1570.
In the
literature and programs distributed among the Indians the gathering was
described as the first ceremonial celebration convened by the grand
council of the Six Nations days since pre-revolutionary days.
In the
background hovered Mrs. Laura Cornelius Kellogg, executive secretary of
the Six Nations, of Seymour, Wis. A dynamo of driving force, Mrs.
Kellogg whipped the program into action, assembled the 30-odd visiting
chiefs for the press photographers, and did considerable speaking
herself, both in English and Mohawk. Striking American words and
phrases occasionally punctuated with her Indian address.
She said
that the League of Nations in Europe did not have the majesty of the
Iroquois league of nations and that the basic idea of the Iroquois
banding together to prevent future wars, made them the most powerful
group in American of that day. She said the ultimate object of
the present movement is to revive the Iroquois league of nations until
it eventually takes in all tribes…
Another speaker was Chief George E. Thomas of
Onondaga, the Tadodarho of the Iroquois Confederacy. George
Thomas was a noted Carlyle athlete who had played on “Pop” Warner’s
football team with Jim Thorpe. He introduced many of the visiting
chiefs as well as a local chief, James Deer, who was even more of a
legend, having performed as a strong man and trick rider all over the
world in circuses and “wild west” shows, and having been part of a
British expedition that conquered the rapids of the Nile to save the
beleaguered General “Chinese” Gordon at Khartoum in 1884.
Chief Deer had passed out from the heat but was
“revived sufficiently” for his own part in the day’s activities:
Chief
Deer strode onto the platform accompanied by two venerable Indians, all
clad in full feathered regalia. Later his daughters, Running Deer
and Princess White Deer, also in costume, joined the platform crowds.
Their
Indian garb contrasted with heavy use of lipstick and mascara to
combine the old and the new.
In a
colorful finale Davis was invested as a member of Iroquois and given
the name of Safe Keeper of the Council Fire as he as admitted into the
Snipe clan.
Chief Deer
got out the peace pipe and each puffed upon it, after which the Indian
draped a gaudy blanket over Davis’ shoulder and put on the feather
head-dress. Davis, an elderly man, who had been sitting in a
temperature of 120 degrees, perspired visibly under the heavy woolen
blanket.
Princess
White Deer sang Indian songs, and Running Deer gave an original blanket
dance. The gathering was partly adjourned when Chief Deer again
stepped up to the mike and reminded his audience how he had helped
conquer the Nile at Khartoum.
When the
St. Regis Mohawk School opened that fall, the Massena Observer ran a
stories about the opening, the appointment of a new principal, and the
school’s first music program, in which “Everyone seemed eager to
participate in the atmosphere which reflected cheerful, happy joy.”
Solomon Cook, then a high school student in Massena
(with a New York State educational award under his belt), gave a speech
to the students that noted the advantages their new school had.
He said that he regretted not having the same opportunity when he was
their age.
Mr.
Cook pleaded for an attitude that showed ambition, application,
appreciation, and a motto, “Doing the Best Better.” His talk was
an inspiration for all who heard it.
Following
Mr. Cook’s talk, three fifth grade pupils sang solos. They were:
first, Edgar Jock, and he sang “That Silver Haired Daddy of Mine”;
second, Harriet Ransome, “Prisoners Dream:” the last was Belson
Tarbell, “Darling Think of What You’ve Done.” These solos
captivated the attention of every listener, and the resulting applause
provided a true expression of sincere appreciation.
At this
point in the program, Julius Cook, fourth grade Service Club leader,
addressed the student body in a grown-up manner, stating the purposes
and progress thus far made in the club. His talk was naturally
effective. It was direct, personal and to the point.
Mr. Faddin,
sixth grade teacher, was next on the program. He played harmonica
while Alfred Terrance, assisted him on the Jew’s harp. After two
selections Mr. Faddin proved he had more ability up his sleeve.
His excellent whistling imitation of bird calls convinced the entire
audience that he was an expert imitator and a lover of nature.
Mr. Faddin
is of course Ray Fadden, and he had even more up his sleeve than
that. He was also an avid collector or Native American artifacts
and tribal lore, all of which he would use to inspire his students to
learn more about their culture.
Fadden’s enthusiasm was contagious, and the Massena
Observer returned to document his amazing collection of over 50 wampum
belt reproductions, stone axes and arrowheads from the mound builders
of Ohio, French trade beads found near Oneida lake, a tomahawk from the
French and Indian War, a beaded blanket made by Tuscaroras, moccasins
made by Sitting Bull’s niece, and other items to numerous to mention.
In January of the following year, Fadden contributed
an article to the Massena newspaper under the title “Indians Have
Contributed Much to Civilization.” He was out to educate the
general public in addition to his sixth-grade class…and succeeded on
both counts. His students, who are now our elders, were lucky to
have him.
