Mohawk Mitts honours community history

Tewa’keranhkhwa Horn has grown up steeped in the history of ironwork, always aware of the legacy of her two grandfathers, Peter Marquis and the late Joe Horn.

Both were renowned ironworkers, and, along with her father Carl Horn, Tewa’keranhkhwa has watched as they used their hands and their strength to build not just physical structures, but a life for her family.

That got Tewa’keranhkhwa thinking about how she could honour that aspect of her family identity, and the idea for Mohawk Mitts was born, a workwear brand specializing in high-quality work gloves.

“If you enter any Mohawk Territory, it’s a guarantee that each family will have some sort of immediate or distant connection to someone who works with their hands,” she said. “So, I created a Kanien’kehá:ka-owned brand for our people.”

Tewa’keranhkhwa is the sole owner of Mohawk Mitts, which has just launched with their standard work glove, the Mohawk Mitt Original. The gloves are made by an experienced manufacturer and are cow split leather gloves featuring the company’s own branded logo, designed by Teiowisathe Jenna Thompson of Teiowisathe Originals.

“I wanted to create a versatile pair,” Horn said.

“These gloves are great for everyday use, for projects both big and small. From raking leaves, to chopping wood, to building city skylines.”

Horn said that the workwear market has huge demand, but that there’s not a huge number of Indigenous-owned businesses in the industry, despite the immense role Indigenous people have played in the trades.

“I wanted to fill that gap,” she said.

Starting a new business is a big leap of faith, but Tewa’keranhkhwa felt it was especially important, both because of her family history of ironwork and as a female entrepreneur.

“There’s always a risk when launching a business, but I knew this brand will reflect a lot of my community’s reality,” she said. “I hope to inspire other Kanien’kehá:ka females to take the leap of starting their own brand or business in any industry.”

She said her vision is strong for her company - she wants the strength of the gloves to reflect the strength of workers in her community.

“Mohawks are known for being strong and resilient in all aspects of life. When the gloves are put on, you’ll feel a sense of community and generations of strength,” she said. “Mohawk Mitts are gloves that work as hard as the people who wear them.”

She added that the gloves come in a range of sizes and are designed for everyone.

“I’ve realized that there is unmatched strength, skill, and work ethic of Mohawk people, both men and women. Mohawk Mitts proudly honours those people,” she said.

The gloves are available at a number of places in Kahnawake including Deer Crossing, Traditions, Mohawk Market, OCR Gaz, Rapids, Britny’s Convenience, Sisters Trading Post, Village Variety, Rez Gas, Jacobs Hardware, and Club Rez.

In Akwesasne, they can be picked up at Mini Mart, Bear’s Den, Twinleaf, Big Boy’s, and Northern Lights Trading Post.

They’re also available at Ganienkeh Territory Fuel, Ganienkeh Territory Co-op, Smith’s Lumber and Supplies Fort, and Johnston’s Building Materials Brushton.

Purchases or retail inquiries can also be made by reaching out to the company on social media at @mohawk_mitts.

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