Opening & Closing Ceremony led by Elder, Otsi’tsaken:ra (Speckled Flower, Bear Clan), from the Kanien’keha:ka Community of Kahnawake

Opening Ceremony: 8:40am-9:00am, Thursday, July 26

Closing Ceremony: 12:10pm-12:30pm, Sunday, July 29

Otsitsaken:ra‎ (Charles Patton) is a respected elder in the Kanien’keha:ka (Mohawk) Community of Kahnawa:ke, which is on the south shore of the island of Tio’tia:ke (Montreal) which is the northern section of Kanien’keha:ka ancestral territory.

His name Otsitsaken:ra ‎means Speckled Flower, he is a Bear Clan Kanien’keha:ka (people of the flint), married to Niioie:ren for 44 years, he is father to 3 sons and grandfather of 6 grandchildren.

He is a “Faith Keeper” at the Mohawk Trail Longhouse in Kahnawa:ke.

FaithKeepers are people who have committed themselves (to the Creator) to ensuring the continuance of Kanien’keha:ka tradition, language and culture.

Otsi’tsaken:ra, in his youth, was the winner of the Tom Longboat Award, came 3rd in the 1965 Canada Midget Cross Country Games and travelled with the Quebec Team to France. As a result, he won a scholarship to the University of Michigan graduating with a degree in Language Arts and Physical Education.

He is a fluent Kanien’keha speaker and was the first teacher in our elementary school system to teach an Immersion Physical Education program in the Kanien’keha Language and one of the first volunteers to bring a Mohawk Culture class into the elementary school system in the early 80’s.

He has also been a past director of the Kahnawa:ke Youth Center, a Recreation Animator for the community.

He worked with the Haudenosaunee Council of Chiefs for over 20 years helping to maintain the original traditional government of the Five Nations/Iroquois people.

In his retirement, Otsi’tsaken:ra and his family now run Patton’s Glen Golf Club, a Par 3 Golf Course in Kahnawa:ke, that is open to people of all ages. His family started the club to give youth a chance to train in the sport at an early age and for families to play together because many golf courses do not allow children under 12 to learn or to play.

Otsi’tsaken:ra has opened conferences and been instrumental in ceremonies over the years in Montreal, Ottawa and provinces in Canada and the United States and at the United Nations. On 2018 March 1, he was acknowledged by McGill University IHPP /Indigenous Health Professions Program, for his contributions in the development of this concept and in helping to identify it: Eniathi’nikonraiéntho (plant a seed in their minds). This honor ceremony and an explanation of the importance of the Ohenton Karihwatehkwen (opening and closing intentions) can be viewed below.

Ohen:ton Karihwatehkwen means “the Words that Come Before All Else.”

It is also referred to as “The Thanksgiving Address,” “Giving Greetings to the Natural World,” or “The Opening Address.“

Traditionally, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) say these words to begin and end each day, important meetings, ceremonies, and socials.

Be mindfuller.