OHERO:KON "UNDER THE HUSK"
RITES OF PASSAGE
About Us
Ohero:kon "Under the Husk" Rites of Passage emerged out of a pursuit to inspire and support the community for the love of our children, and a desire for actions to speak louder than words. Established in 2000 in the Ahkwesásne Mohawk Nation, we’re a grassroots, community-based Indigenous organization driven by progressive ideas, bold actions, and a strong foundation of cultural support. Beginning with 7 youth who fasted on top of a mountain in our sister community of Kahnenhsatá:ke, we have now supported more than 1000 people to be part of this process including youth, families, Elders, community members and allies - including the growth of Oheró:kon currently taking place in other communities across the Ratinonhshón:ni/Haudenosaunee Confederacy.
Oheró:kon reconstructs ancient cultural knowledge of "coming of age" as a preparatory process for youth as they transition to adulthood. We offer age-appropriate, culturally-based teachings and activities in safe, sacred spaces to nurture the emotional and physical well-being of Onkwehón:we (Indigenous) youth, families and communities. contact us to learn more and get involved.
It Takes a Community
We dedicate 20+ weeks of community and family involvement. Youth across the Ratinonhshón:ni Confederacy with the support of their chosen Aunties, Uncles and families gain knowledge through traditions and ceremony. It takes all of us working together to make Oheró:kon possible.
If you're Haudenosaunee and feel fulfilled by the idea of volunteering, please email: oherokon@gmail.com. You must be from a Haudenosaunee community to contribute in person.
If you'd like to donate in other ways, we call on you to reach out. We love to share our good work with everyone. To donate, email: iakoiane@yahoo.com
Ohero:kon is not a program, it is a way of life and our children need us to set the example.
When you see young people emerge out of their cocoons it’s so beautiful. I want all youth to rise and show their resiliency. They have a powerful message for the universe to hear.
- Wakerakatste Louise McDonald Herne,
Condoled Bear Clan Mother for the Mohawk Nation, Visionary and Founder of Ohero:kon and Haudenosaunee Universe.
Our Mission
Transformation happens at both the personal and collective level that brings about better understanding, greater engagement, and self-confidence. All of that translates into personal decisions and actions that are supported by the group and that leads to better health outcomes.
Essential Elements of Oheró:kon
- Grounded in Haudenosaunee values, language, stories, and practices,
- Woman-led, youth-centered, in balance with the men (duality),
- Use the medicine of living in kindness with one another through implementing healing informed approaches,
- Builds self and community Onkwehonwe identity self-determination,
- Move from our experiences of trauma to healing based in our collective energy,
- Everybody has a part to play and the whole community has a collective role,
- We are united by the love of our children,
- Sweat lodge is the threshold from which youth and their new selves emerge,
- Communities work to create a safe space for youth.
Essential Elements of the Oheró:kon Model
Ohero:kon is a sustainable culture and community-based model that changes how Haudenosaunee youth experience the challenges of transitioning from adolescence to young adulthood.
“Under the Husk” is a process of personal and collective transformation through shared processes of deep learning and discovery through ritual seclusion, increasing social support and expansion of relationships.
OHERO:KON "UNDER THE HUSK" RITES OF PASSAGE AT A GLANCE
"In Our Creation Story, down-fending involved individual ritual seclusion under a blanket of corn husk that was circled within a ring of cat-tail down. The down from the cat-tail would reveal any intrusive presence to the ritual space.We call the rites of passage Ohero:kon - Under the Husk. We must lead our generations into the future using the symbology of our Haudenosaunee culture to penetrate the psyche of the community." Katsi Cook, Aboriginal Midwife
Ohero:kon is a sustainable culture and community-based model that changes how Haudenosaunee youth experience the challenges of transitioning from adolescence to young adulthood.
Ohero:kon is a process of personal and collective transformation through shared processes of deep learning and discovery through ritual seclusion, increasing social support and expansion of relationships.
Oheró:kon is governed by a Lead Aunties and Uncles Council made up of past initiates, knowledge keepers, community organizers and more. The Council meets regularly through the entire year to prepare and facilitate all calendar activities, and to provide additional direct support to youth and families.
Media • Films and Accolades
Ohero:kon Under the Husk documentary by Katsitsionni Fox
“Oheró:kon - Under the Husk” is a 26-min documentary by longtime Oheró:kon Auntie Katsitsionni Fox. The film follows the journey of two Mohawk girls as they take part in their traditional passage rites to becoming Mohawk Women. Kaienkwinéhtha and Kasennakóhe are childhood friends from traditional families living in the Mohawk Community of Ahkwesáhsne that straddles the U.S. / Canada border. They both take part in a four- year adolescent passage rites ceremony called Oheró:kon “Under the Husk” that has been revived in their community. This ceremony challenges them spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically. It shapes the women they become.
Media Articles and Accolades
Articles and initiatives recognizing the work of Oheró:kon include:
