Family Day: Strawberry juice and lacrosse
Family day was fortunate to only have a small window of rain in a day scheduled for a downpour. Courtesy Kanesatake Perimeter Security (KPS)
Under the Pines at the lacrosse field, Kanesatake community members gathered for this year’s Family Day celebration to enjoy a day of activities, lacrosse games and strawberry juice.
The event featured booths from organizations such as the Kanesatake Employment and Training Service Center (KETSC), Reviving Kanehsatà:ke Radio (RKR), Tekontaterièn:tare Multigenerational Center for Women’s Wellness in Kanesatake, as well as the Tsontkwahtentionhátie Farm, which did a plant giveaway.
“I was very happy with the organization and am grateful for all of the staff who had a hand in planning and participating in the event,” said Teiawenhniseráhte Jeremy Tomlinson, executive director at the Kanesatake Health Center.
“There was great attendance and kids of all ages playing lacrosse,” Tomlinson said, adding that in the anticipated game for ages 15 and up, he also got the chance to play. “A summer classic, really a fun day with good energy overall.”
Tomlinson said food was a major highlight throughout the day, as he and his family enjoyed tacos and strawberry juice sold by Ruby Powless.
Powless has sold her strawberry juice at the Family Day event for the past three years, and this year she prepared her largest quantity yet, 30 gallons, which sold out.
“I set up and I just was selling nonstop,” Powless said. “Go, go, go, make more cups. I made my second batch of juice and then that was gone, so I made my third batch, and by the end of the event it was all gone.”
Powless added that she noticed more non-community members in attendance and believes the different location this year was key in the higher turnout of both community and non-community participants.
Usually, Family Day is held at the powwow grounds, but this year it was hosted alongside the lacrosse tournament.
“It was nice to be in the shade and under the trees,” Powless said, noting that the shift in location made the event feel more comfortable and inviting.
One of Powless’ favorite moments of the day was wishing her father a happy Father’s Day on RKR, which was doing a live segment at the event. Powless added that RKR also livestreamed the lacrosse games, allowing vendors like herself to follow along.
The lacrosse games were among the most anticipated activities of the day, with younger age groups playing throughout the day and culminating in the 15-and-up matchup between Center Road Wild Turkeys and Up the Bay Fisher Cats.
Lacrosse game organizer Selena Kaniehtiiostha Beauvais was pleased not only with the turnout but also with the weather, with only a brief shower arriving during the adult game.
Beauvais was not able to participate in the rest of Family Day as she was busy organizing the lacrosse games. She spent most of the day helping younger players learn the game, encouraging them and helping them understand the rules, occasionally showing them which direction to run.
“We started with the youngest kids and worked our way up,” Beauvais said. “The kids loved it. An hour is never enough time for them. They’re competitive and they can go all day.”
The high turnout in the lacrosse games has inspired Beauvais to start planning more community games throughout the year.
“We’re also thinking about doing one in the fall and calling it fall ball,” she said.
Beauvais added that combining the lacrosse tournament with Family Day in recent years has helped increase participation.
“When we hold it during Family Day, we get a really big turnout,” she said. “Just in the adult game alone, we had about 20 participants.”
The adult game was closely contested. After taking an early lead, the Fisher Cats saw the Wild Turkeys rally to tie the score before pulling away for an 8-6 victory.
“I played for the Fisher Cats,” Beauvais said. “Technically, I’m supposed to be on Center Road, but they needed players. I scored four of the eight goals.”
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Beauvais added that while she was busy running and playing in the lacrosse games, it was nice to see the community come out.
“We don’t really get to see the community as often anymore. We don’t have as many events as we used to, so it’s nice to have something like this where you can see different faces and catch up with people you don’t see often,” she said.
Tomlinson said that from a social health perspective, events like this are very important.
“When parents, kids, uncles, totas and everyone are out for some wholesome family fun, it’s great prevention,” he said.
Fern Marmont, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
