Oct. 1, 7 p.m. -- Part One:  The Early History of Akwesasne (Click to view)

 At the dawn of the Seven Years War, a new indigenous community was established on the St. Lawrence river, which was then part of New France.  The Jesuit priests who established a mission there named it St. Regis, but the Mohawks and other natives called it Akwesasne, or "where the partridge drums."  Warriors from the new village fought alongside the French throughout the conflict, but eventually made peace with the British during the conquest of 1760. During the American Revolution, most but not all sided with the British, which also happened in the War of 1812.

Oct. 15, 7 p.m. -- Part Two: Akwesasne in the Nineteenth Century (Click to view)

In the War of 1812, Akwesasne was not only divided by American and British sentiments, but by an actual border drawn through their village.  Conflict over this line disrupted the peace of the community for many years.  The 1800's was a time of tremendous change for the community, as American and Canadian settlements began to increase all around it. By the end of the century, outside governments imposed an elective form of government on both sides of the border, which resulted in a resurgence of old leadership traditions and a cultural revival that continues today.