The Threat Of Discovery! Part 1

"There are many people who could claim and learn from their Indian ancestry, but because of the fear their parents and grandparents knew, because of past and present prejudice against Indian people, that part of their heritage is clouded or denied."

 

My grandfather lied to immigration authorities, and said that he was French Canadian, when, in fact, he was Mohawk Indian, Canadian Montagnais Indian and French Canadian. This was in about 1901. He was given legal status in the USA, and never talked about his real heritage, throughout much of his adult life! He was terrified that the truth would be discovered and that he'd be deported back to Canada! As it was, when he married my grandmother, she lost her American Citizenship, making them both legal aliens. I'm pleased to report that they both obtained American citizenship, in 1937! It's still a sorrowful chapter in my family history! I believe that there were Aunt's and Uncle's that lived their entire lives, never knowing they were Native American's!  By the time, I came along in 1945, and was begining to be raised by my grandparents, my grandfather was a little more comfortable about talking about his heritage. He was no longer afraid of being deported back to Canada. He spent hours upon hours talking to me, teaching me the ways that he learned as a child. Our talks were always on a one on one basis and on a very serious level. Most often, they occured in Groton, MA, where he owned a summer home. We spent hours in the wooded surrounds of the summer cottage, him teaching me wilderness foods, that'd keep me alive, in the event of a disaster! He taught me that Mohawk men needed to honor and cherish women. Because without women, there would be no continuation of life.He taught me that there was strength in being quiet! That silence was the sign of a very strong person. I have heeded his teachings and walked the road of my Native Forefathers for the past 20 years. I have always know that I was different! I just simply never fit anybody's mold, of what was expected of me. I've spent my entire life trying to do what was right, and trying to be a role model for others that followed in my path. Even though I was raised in the Catholic religion and have received all the Sacraments of the Catholic Church, I fell away from the Church about 20 years ago and started to follow the Mohawk Longhouse religion. It's deals with spiritualality and the belief that everything on Mother Earth (Turtle Island) has a spirit and that we're all equal. I cherish the elements and honor all living and inanimate things!

My grandmother use to hate my grandfather talking about his culture in her presence. In 1920, they returned to Canada to visit my Grandfather's friends and relatives. They were treated like Royalty! by then, my grandfather had become a successful businessman. She actually reported that she hated visiting people on the Canadian Mohawk Reserve of Kanawake (Caugnawaga). She regarded them as pagan's and a much lower social class than herself. In 1954, upon returning to Canada for the first time in 34 years, she was much more mellower and reported enjoying her visit with her husbands relatives! I was there and saw first hand at her reserve at being gentile. I remember being so disappointed that the relatives living at Kanawake didn't live in teepee's. They lived in tar paper shacks! I was 8 years old at the time and simply didn't know any better. That year, my cousin Mary Bertini, went with us to Canada. She was as proud as I was to visit our Canadian relatives. We continued to visit Canada on summer vacations for the next several years. The Tremblay's family summer home was in Chambly! Site of Fort Chambly, where the Mohawk's joined forces with the French in 1704 to raid the Village of Deerfield, Massachusetts. I remember, my grandfather telling me, that as a young boy he played in a band associated with the Fort. He was a drummer! Today, Fort Chambly is on the Canadian National Landmark Heritage Trail!