‘Legacy project for future generations’: Construction of Kahnawà:ke Cultural and Arts Centre underway

Construction is officially underway for the Kahnawà:ke Cultural and Arts Centre, west of Montreal, after Saturday’s ground-breaking ceremony.

The centre will be a cultural gathering place for the community, with the goal of promoting the Mohawk language and culture.

“You don’t know how long we’ve been waiting for this moment to get here,” said Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer, the Grand Chief of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke,

“This is going to be a legacy project for future generations. Our language and culture are so important to us and this building we’re seeing as the hub of that in the community. Connecting our elders, our young people, but as well, to share with people from around the community.”

It’s considered a historic moment for the Kahnawà:ke community. After waiting for over four decades, the community is finally a step closer to having its own space to share stories and heritage.

Work on the centre is expected to be complete by late 2025.

In May, the Quebec government provided $11 million to help build the multi-purpose community hub. An additional $8 million needs to be raised to cover the total $56 million estimated cost.

“It’s been so long,” said Sky-Deer. “A lot of work, a lot of time, energy, sweat, tears. But ultimately at the end of the day, it’s about collaboration and the number of people who have come together to get it to this point.”

The building will include a museum showcasing the history of many local Indigenous nations and will be a new home for Turtle Island Theatre. Different educational programs will also take place, such as an immersion course to learn the Mohawk language.

“We’re working on repatriation of artefacts that belong to the Mohawks of Kahnawà:ke,” said Trina Diabo, a technician at the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke. “And we cannot repatriate until we have the proper facility, the proper temperature-controlled building. And we need tourism. Tourism is the glue that will keep the theatre going.”

“This is going to be so beautiful for us to be able to have visitors come and learn about who we are, come on tours where we can share a part of our history and our culture, but also for our own people,” added Kimberly Kaniehtenhawe, a development manager with Kahnawà:ke Tourism. “Because we don’t really have a space where you can go and learn about our own history.”