Winter Carnival nearly here

The days might be getting longer, but that’s about the only sign of the cold snap letting up. Fortunately, as Kanehsata’kehró:non look out the window at the snow accumulating on their cars, they can comfort themselves with the knowledge they’ll soon be clearing it off for two weeks of winter fun.

Every year, Kanesatake Health Center (KHC) staff get to work crafting a schedule of events designed to help lift Kanehsata’kehró:non out of their seasonal doldrums, and 2025 is no exception.

“That’s the goal of it, is to keep everyone out of the winter blues. It can be hard times for people,” said Jadyn Nicholas, child and youth program coordinator at the Kanesatake Health Center, which organizes the annual Winter Carnival.

While on its face the festival might appear to be about sports and games, its true spirit is bringing people closer to one another during a difficult time of year.

“A lot of people do come together and get to see people they haven’t seen in a long time,” said Nicholas.

The slate of activities has something for all ages, kicking off with glow-in-the-dark volleyball for the 12-and-older set from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Ratihén:te High School.

One of the highlights of this year’s calendar is a live concert and luncheon for elders featuring the country music stylings of the River Mohawk Band out of Akwesasne. With the KHC even bringing in folks to teach line dancing at the event, elders can have a thought about what songs might get them moving most.

“We do a variety of songs. We do a few of our own, mostly a lot of covers,” said Roger Mitchell, the band’s singer and bassist. “It depends on the people that are there too. I ask for a lot of requests, ask people what songs they want to hear.”

They’ll be performing at Ratihén:te on February 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for community members 60 and up. Nicholas said the phone is already ringing off the hook with people enthusiastic to attend, which bodes well for a sharp performance.

“A key to a good show is to have a good crowd, just to try to get everybody involved,” said Mitchell. “Our main goal is to make sure they have a good time.”

For the community’s youngest, toddler fun bounce night is being held on February 18 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the high school for those aged zero to five.

“I’m trying to make sure there is stuff for all age groups, all the families, from ages zero to 99, just to make sure it is an inclusive event, and we can build on it as much as the community lets us next year,” said Nicholas.

With Valentine’s Day on a Friday this year, it was a perfect opportunity to host a Valentine’s Day dance, Nicholas said, with children grades one through six encouraged to “dress to impress” and head out to Rotiwennakéhte Elementary School from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The next day, February 15, community members are invited to come down to the new KHC farm, where Kahnawake equestrian Hannah Deer is bringing back last year’s popular sleigh ride event.

“We had tons of people come out for that last year, so that was a really big success. We want to keep doing that, plus it’s just something you don’t get all the time,” said Nicholas.

The sleigh ride will be held alongside snowsnake, which will be hosted by the cultural healing and wellness team.

Besides sports, there is also traditional paint night on February 13 and indoor movie night on February 21, where the classic animated film Ice Age will be shown.

Meanwhile, other athletic activities include ball hockey and family badminton the first week and glow-in-the-dark dodgeball and soccer the following one.

Volleyball has become a Kanesatake staple, while the KHC has been hosting regular recreational ball hockey, among other sports, to get youth ready to participate in the tournament coming up - around 15-20 young athletes have been coming out for that each week.

“It’s to keep that consistency and keep that positivity that there is in the community and not focus on so much of the negatives that we encounter daily, but to try to bring some positive ways to come together,” Nicholas said, adding the athletes are looking forward to winning medals and bragging rights.

A broomball tournament closes out the Winter Carnival on February 22, taking place at the sports complex in Two Mountains, so it can be played on indoor ice.

Finally, there are the photo contests, with this year’s themes being Valentine’s Day baking, snow and ice castles, and traditional crafts.

“It could be something new, it could be something you’re working on. Just more or less to showcase the local artists,” Nicholas said.

Submissions open on February 9 and close at 4 p.m. on February 22.

A full schedule of events is posted to KHC’s Facebook page. Some activities require pre-registration.

[email protected]

Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter