The tour begins with a welcome to Akwesasne Mohawk territory and an introduction to their cultural educator. Guests are greeted with the Ohén:ton Karihwatéhkwen (“the words before all else”).

Experience the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) creation story through iconic art and imagery depicting the creation of the world and how people came to live in it. Guests learn about pre-contact lifeways, including longhouse living, our traditional clan structure, and food systems. The origins of the Six Nations of the Haudenosaunee is told through authentic cultural items and iconography.

Guests are introduced to wampum belts, the living records of our history, agreements, monumental events, and treaties. This tour invites guests to view the historic Wolf Belt, made more than 200 years ago and repatriated to Akwesasne in 2010. Several replica belts are on display in the museum’s climate-controlled wampum room.

Hosts share some spectacular examples of our enduring traditional arts that our people continue to practice and refine even today. Lacrosse fans can learn about the Mohawk contribution to the Creator’s game through different eras.

Guests come away from this tour with a deeper appreciation of historical and contemporary Mohawk culture, and the many forces that impact it today.

The tour allows time for Q&A and self-exploration. Guests may visit the gift shop to purchase a memento of their visit.