The years that fly by

When you work at a newspaper, every week is memorable. Just a quick glance at a front page from months ago can bring back a flood of memories. But while every week is distinct, the year can be a blur when you think of how fast 52 weeks go by.

Each volume of The Eastern Door is like a time capsule, packed full of the stories that make Kahnawake the special place that it is. This one’s no different, we can tell you that much; we’re fresh off our yearly review of the whole stack of issues that prove it.

One of these days we ought to comb the archives and see how many of today’s recognizable names - and there’s a lot of them, when you think of all the Kahnawa’kehró:non who earn their time in the sun - were once babies of the year, or distinguished minor leaguers or young actors and artists.

It takes a village to raise a child, and when you take a step back, the collective spirit that Kahnawake runs on is clear as day because it underpins so many community stories.

Which of this year’s babies (who will be featured in the new year) will be the first to one day speak their mind in the pages of The Eastern Door? Which of today’s lacrosse players will grow up to get their chance in the NLL, or become your grandkid’s teacher, for that matter?

For now we’re focused on just one year, 2025, because soon it’ll be time to hit the ground running on the 35th volume and the stories that will define 2026. But no year can exist in isolation, and some of this year’s biggest stories started in years past or will continue in years to come.

Take a look at the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake, which can’t help but be a perennial newsmaker. While there are bright spots, like progress in housing or forming partnerships with other First Nations, no one can deny lawsuits that stick out of late, and one of the biggest stories of 2024 - the demise of Mohawk Online and a lawsuit launched by its ousted leader - was only resolved this year, making it a 2025 story, too.

Meanwhile, one jaw-dropping lawsuit of 2025, a certain $200 million action launched by the owners of Magic Palace, will not be resolved soon, maybe for years to come, but it could have a huge resonance and impact when that resolution finally comes.

We still await the outcome of the big cannabis debate about whether to allow sales in town, which the MCK seemed poised to reconsider, at least as far as the existing plan goes, but who knows what will happen on that count.

At the same time, it’s amazing to see the passion of those who rallied to force the Council to take another look. Agree with those community members or not, it’s yet another testament to the tremendous will Kahnawa’kehró:non possess to stand up for what they believe is right.

Also on the political front, outside governments forced the community to react, whether it’s Mark Carney as prime minister, François Legault’s never-ending push for Quebec nationalism and his side projects like further destroying the healthcare system, or Jordan’s Principle all but collapsing. On every count, Kahnawake responded in one way or another, and all these threads continue.

Above all, those factors give cause to rally around strides made in sovereignty. The biggest symbol of all is there for everyone to see, the soon-to-open Kahnawake Cultural Arts Center (KCAC), now called Kanatahkwèn:ke, meaning “Our Village.”

We started our year off right with a guided tour of the facility, which was already well underway, and just a few months ago we had the chance to walk through it again and see how it has advanced.

In 2026, it will be a hub for the community, both to nurture local talents and gifts and show them off to an increasingly curious world, but 2025 was the year of the radiothon and the final push on one of the most impressive projects in a generation.

And on the sports side of things? Here’s the understatement of the year: How about those Hunters?

From starting up a Junior C team to capitalize on the franchise’s burgeoning success and continue to develop young talent, to the marquee Junior B squad beating Elora in a rematch to take the OJBLL finals and then going on to - again, all niá:wen to the community spirit that put them on a plane, when a labour action threatened to cancel the whole venture - their first ever Founder’s Cup victory.

Kanehsata’kehró:non were also a key part of the Hunters’ success this year, and we’d be remiss not to think of the year’s stories in The Pines Reporter, which highlight how much the community’s members accomplish, working hard for the next generation.

Of course, Kanesatake had more than its fair share of challenges, from continued tree cutting in the Pines, to a lack of security despite an urgent need, and a year’s worth of arguing about who is or is not a chief, including a suspended election that still hasn’t been resolved.

Every year has its highlights and its difficulties, and while challenges can be overcome, the bright spots always give us hope for a better future.

With so many amazing people pushing for better, we can’t wait to see the stories 2026 brings, and who this year’s babies of the year grow up to become.

And with that, we take two weeks off for the first time in TED’s history - a much-needed break and time to reflect. In this business, that doesn’t come often enough, and we’re sure yours is no different.

We’ll see you in the new year with a great big Ohserá:se!

TED Staff