Tag Archives: naming ceremony

WHAT’S IN A NAME

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MNN. Sept. 27, 2017. The original instructions of creations reflects the diversity of the natural world. Only one person in the world can carry a name for life. If someone uses a name that belongs to another, they violate the onkwe-hon-weh. The younger person must change theirs. When the real name carrier dies, it can be given to someone, if this name was not shamed and was carried honourably. A disgraced name cannot be given to a child. 

STAND UP FOR ONKWE-HON-WEH MOTHERHOOD.

White culture incorporates and owns its names as a commodity. Parents select names from fashion, glitz, show, song, the latest pop star or common names used by millions.

When an onkwe-hon-weh name is appropriated, it could be ignorance, theft, disrespect or cultural protocols were not followed.

Our names have stories, they depict momentum of being alive, that we are part of the natural world. Our name is our life and no one else can live it.  We search throughout our communities to make sure no one else is using or living it.  

MANY BLINDLY STOMP ALL OVER OUR CULTURE WITHOUT AWARENESS OF THE IMPACT OR CONSEQUENCES.

Nicknames spoil the love and beauty of the name. The grandmothers, women and relatives who lovingly gave this name to the person are not being respected.  

SO MANY ARE  LOST & FORGOTTEN BY DESIGN.

Our names are raised by the women which is a natural gift that enhances our ability and strength to survive using our instincts. Though we are created in the image of our parents, creation made us one of a kind. There are no two similar people even with the same parents. They are each themselves. Each tree is different. No animal has the same exact marking as another.

To demonstrate this principle onkwe-hon-weh put one odd bead or stitch in their work.

kasotsra means the lives we live, the legacy we leave. Our ancestors tried to retain our philosophy and principles that creation intended for us. They paid a great price.

Elton John sings about flashy glitter life: “Say, Candy and Ronnie, have you seen them yet. Uh but they’re so spaced out, B-B-B-Bennie and the Jets. Oh but they’re weird and they’re wonderful. Oh Bennie she’s really keen…”

Mohawk Nation News kahentinetha2@yahoo.com for more news, to donate and sign up for MNN newsletters, go to mohawknationnews.com More stories at MNN Archives.  Address: Box 991, Kahnawake [Quebec, Canada] J0L 1B0 

INDIGENOUS MOTHERHOOD –RECONCILIATION IS FOR THE COLONIZER https://indigenousmotherhood.wordpress.com/2017/06/13/this-reconciliation-is-for-the-colonizer/