Kaniatarowanenneh (St. Lawrence River) holds immense significance for Akwesasronon (Akwesasne Community Members), shaping their history and identity. Over time, however, the river and community faced environmental challenges from the development of the seaway and hydropower dam. The developments attracted heavy industry to area for cheap energy and shipping access, causing environmental contaminants (PCB, mercury, etc.) and adversely affecting the health and culture of Akwesasronon. This environmental violence generated a fearful relationship between the community and river, eroding cultural knowledge, language, teachings, and practices. This fear, combined with a forced assimilationist history, distanced the people from the environment, disrupting the fulfillment of reciprocal roles defined by the Ohenton Karihwatehkwen (Words Before All Else).
Akwesasne struggles with shoreline erosion, prompting Akwesasronon shoreline owners to harden their shorelines. A shoreline assessment was developed and framed in the Ohenton Karihwatehkwen to be applied to interested shoreline owners. Semi-structured interviews conducted will help gauge owners’ understanding of shorelines and cultural knowledge. Integrating quantitative and qualitative information will inform shoreline restoration plans, fostering naturalized shorelines that evoke communal and individual responsibilities to creation – an act of decolonization. Embracing a decolonial approach, the project draws from Linda Tuhiwai Smith's critique of research and aligns with Tuck and Yang's affirmation that decolonization is not a metaphor. The hypothesis is that strengthening Akwesasronon relationship with creation through their biocultural context improves shoreline health and cultural knowledge reclamation.
