Ohsweken, Ontario

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Ohsweken is a village on the Six Nations of the Grand River Indian reserve near Brantford, Ontario, Canada. Approximately 300 of the 2,700 homes on the reserve are in Ohsweken, and it is the site of the reserve governmental and administrative offices.

It is the site of GRE Grand River Enterprises, the fourth largest tobacco manufacturing plant in Canada.

Contents

[edit] Local events

[edit] Bread and Cheese

The Bread and Cheese celebrations take place in Ohsweken on Victoria Day to commemorate Queen Victoria's gifts of bread and cheese to the peoples of the Six Nations. The celebrations take place at The Gaylord Powless Arena, where bread and cheese are given out free of charge. The bread and cheese are now purchased by the [[Six Nations Band Council.

The Bread and Cheese celebrations incluide other festivities, such as a carnival at the fair grounds in front of The Gaylord Powless Arena, a parade which leads from Chiefswood Park to the arena and a street dance held by CKRZ-FM.

[edit] Aboriginal Solidarity Day

The events take place at Chiefswood Park. They celebrate Aboriginal solidarity and the summer solstice on June 21. June 21 is also the day of the Tom Longboat run.

[edit] Grand River Champion of Champions Pow Wow

This Pow-wow host over 400 dancers from across North America dancing in traditional Native ways and has sales of traditional Native products. This event takes place on the last weekend in July.

[edit] Elder Network

The Elder Network is a network of people who serve the Elders of the Six Nations, and host various special meals such as a Wild Game Dinner in November, a Strawberry Social in June and a Fish Fry in August. Most of the staff for these meals are volunteers. Most of the people in the Elder Network work for a living.

[edit] Media

The town has two community newspapers, the Turtle Island News and the Tekawennake. The local community radio station is CKRZ.

[edit] People

Notable people from Ohsweken include: Actors

Poets

Rappers

  • Yung Warriorz
  • Jmo
  • Prospectz
  • New Nation
  • Car Wash Crew

Athletes

[edit] Water Crisis

At the time, Ohsweken is dealing with a contaminated water crisis. "We have an outdated water pumping station working at three times its capacity. It couldn’t support the demand. It created a potentially dangerous situation. Everyone had to be put on a boil water advisory. We need to look at upgrading the system if we ever hope to extend our infrastructure to include badly needed new homes," said Six Nations Chief David General.

[edit] Service Clubs

Kinsmen Club of Brantford (Kin Canada Bursaries)

[edit] External links