Duck race set for Saturday
Courtesy Kateri Memorial Foundation
The third edition of Tsotso’s Duck Race, the annual fundraiser in memory of Tsótewe Stacey, who tragically passed away in a car accident in 2023, is happening this Saturday.
Skye Thomas, the donations coordinator for the Kateri Memorial Foundation (KMF), said that ducks are still available for purchase and everyone is welcome to come down to the area by the Onake Paddling Club for a day of festivities that will include food, face painting activities, and a raffle for a painting by Robin Tekaiakenhtha Marquis, dedicated to Stacey’s memory.
Individual ducks are available for $20 from the KMF, with a limited amount expected to be available the day of.
The ducks will race in the Recreation Bay from the dock at the Paddling Club to the beach on the island accross the bay, a change from last year’s course that saw them go into a designated finish line in the bay.
“Because the water is so low, and there’s so many weeds, we had to do the start of the course at Onake,” said Thomas.
Of the money raised by the fundraiser, $10,000 will go to the people who bought winning ducks, with the rest of the money being donated to causes chosen by Stacey’s family.
Last year, $5,000 was donated to the 207 Longhouse to organize the Fall Sing, and $2,000 was given to schools Stacey was a student of - $1,000 going to Kahnawake Survival School and $1,000 to Karonhianónhnha School.
Festivities on Saturday will start around 11 a.m. and the launching of the ducks will take place around 12:30 p.m. In case of inclement weather, the event will be pushed to Sunday.
