Holiday cheer on track

The CPKC Holiday Train and its bright, colourful lights chugged into Kahnawake on Monday for one of the highlights of the Christmas season, which doubles as a fundraiser for the Kateri Food Basket.

“On behalf of the food basket, I’d like to thank everybody for their generosity over the holiday season,” said Santa Claus, who bore a striking resemblance to Cory Rice, the coordinator of the food basket. “Without you, this wouldn’t be possible. You help a lot of families in our community, not just at the holidays, but throughout the whole year.”

Santa accepted a $4,500 cheque from the CPKC, which donates to food banks across Turtle Island as part of the holiday train program. The Kateri Food Basket also raised over $1,300 and a trailer’s worth of non-perishable foods from the audience, whose cars lined both sides of the road near Adirondack Junction as far as the eye could see.

“Every year we come to see the holiday train, and it’s fun for the kids, too,” said Kahnawa’kehró:non Karihwiiostha Montour. “I’ve got two boys, and boys always love trains. The lights are nice, the music, and it’s just nice to see everybody out - other community members, and new faces, too.”

This year’s performers were Brittany Kennell and Tyler Shaw. Kennell, who grew up in Beaconsfield, was the first Canadian to compete on The Voice.

The excitement of the children is her favourite part, Montour said, even making her feel like a kid again herself. On top of the event supporting the food basket, she also appreciates that it gives Kahnawake and surrounding municipalities a chance to interact in a positive atmosphere.

“There’s been a little tension between our communities lately with all the traffic issues. This is a nice happy event where we’re able to come together and just be happy,” she said.

Hiio Kirby of K1037 Radio fame, who lives near where the train stops, came out with his granddaughter to support a good cause.

“You get to bring food to help for those who are in need, so everybody gets together, brings their stuff, and we get to enjoy a nice little country show, right?”

Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) chief Ryan Montour is active with the food basket, so the cause was at the front of his mind. “It’s one of our big events of the year, supported by all different community organizations,” he said.

Handing out the glowsticks was a fun moment for him, but with the smiles on children’s faces and a hefty cheque for the food basket, there were a lot of favourite parts to choose from.

“It’s amazing,” said Chateauguay resident Sky Goppy, who attended for the first time. “The lights don’t disappoint. I didn’t know there was going to be a musician and all that. It gives off a good vibe.”

Goppy came out with his sister and her new baby on the recommendation of friends. Seeing pictures from past years sealed the deal, and he’d recommend anyone else do the same next time and make the trip to the Adirondack Junction.

“Don’t miss out,” he said. “Come out and see this. It’s amazing.”

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Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter