Mohawks

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Akwesasne Ontario

A group of disenchanted Mohawk families are leaving this reserve to start a new community on land bought in New York state.

In September approximately 15 families plan to move to a parcel of land along the Mohawk River Valley, 73 kilometres northwest of Albany, New York. The land is traditional Mohawk territory and the group view the move as the fulfillment of a prophesy they would return to their homeland, said Tom Porter, group leader.

Another factor impelling them to find a new home is a search for a more traditional life, away from gambling and alcohol, he said.

Cigarette smuggling and gambling are forms of easy money which have divided Akwasasne and corrupted Mohawk values, Porter said.

The families will move to a 120 hectare estate which formerly housed a facility for the elderly and homeless. The $233,000 purchase was financed unnamed benefactors, said Porter. The land deal will be finalized in September.