Dale Dione (Karonhiahente)

I am known as Dale Dione in the English language, but my Kanienkehaka (Mohawk) name is Karonhiahente and I am of the Bear clan. I live in Kahnawake which is across the river from Montreal. This is my homeland. I am a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Both my parents were born in Kahnawake.

Education wise, I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University, but most of my experiences and training have been with greats in the field of peacebuilding, negotiation and mediation. I have been working in my community to develop a justice system that somewhat mirrors our cultural way of being. Colonial adversity against my people has placed us in a continuous vigilant way of life. In the year 2000, I worked with grassroots community members and developed a Restorative Justice Program which we named Skennen Aonsonton (To Become Peaceful Again). We incorporated our own cultural values and stories to achieve success. This process of justice is for healing amongst ourselves to become a healthy nation once again. Incidentally, I am supposed to be retired but I realize you cannot retire from life and what you have learned needs to be shared with whomever will listen.

Thirty-five years ago, I was a founding parent of Karihwanoron Kanienkeha Owenna Tsi Ionteriwaienstakwa , a Mohawk Immersion Program. It has taken 30 years to get direct funding from the Federal Government. Prior to that time, our parents fundraised in any way possible because our language was dying, and we needed to do this in order save it. We are still struggling because we need a permanent home. Our need does not fit in the government box for infrastructure because our design (home) is not what schools are supposed to look like.

Over the years, I have been involved in and experienced many conflicts between our peoples, Canada and the United States that resulted in violent oppression and suppression. Being original people of this land, it is always about the land and resources. As a Mohawk, we wake up each morning wondering what battle must we have to fight today to survive as a people?

• Biography submitted by the speaker.