Biographies

Sakoieta' - comes originally from Upper New York State and is of Mohawk and Seneca ancestry. His clan is the wolf. His name, Sakoieta' (pronounced sah go YEHT ah') in the Mohawk language translates into english as "He Wakes Them Up Early".

Sakoieta' resides in Grand River Six Nations Iroquois Territory, on the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario, Canada with his wife, Tewutahawiht Dawn Antone, a Turtle Clan member of the Oneida of the Thames band of Iroquois Indians. Together they have six children and nineteen grandchildren.  Sakoieta' has worked tirelessly, even at a young age, to reclaim the culture that was taken away from his family many years ago, much of it during his grandmother’s,  "Tehkanakerehkwen’s"  time, when through her adoption, she was forbidden to have anything to do with her customs or culture.

Sakoieta' now works with Brock University at Saint Catharines, Ontario where he is the main Instructor for Tecumseh Center for Aboriginal Research and Education and teaches Intro to Mohawk I & II, Intermediate Mohawk, Iroquois Culture and History, Aboriginal Spirituality I & II, Introduction to Native North American Song, Music and Dance and Introduction to Aboriginal Studies I & II. He is also a Traditional Onkwehonwe (Iroquois) Family Life/ Spiritual/ Cultural Counsellor and Educator as well as being a Native Elder with the Provincial Department of Justice and Corrections Services of Canada.

Sakoieta' and his wife Tewutahawiht are also involved in helping to create language materials that will help students wanting to learn Mohawk or Oneida to become more fluent in these languages by having access to more highly developed materials than what now exist in the Mohawk or Oneida languages. They are members of the Kentiohkwaón:we Language Nest Program located at Six Nations of the Grand River Territory dedicated to living, learning and teaching of the Mohawk language, customs, and culture. They are both members of the Mohawk Longhouse at Six Nations of the Grand River Territory.

Sakoieta' is an accomplished flute player and maker, artist, singer, dancer, craftsperson and performer. 

Sakoieta's work has taken him all across the United States and Canada and is focused on living and teaching a lifestyle, that is drug, alcohol, substance, gambling free and devoted to family life, the pursuit of peace and recognizing the strength of prayer and following the traditional Kanienkehá:ka (Mohawk) lifestyle.

His work is also focused on keeping alive the rich cultural heritage of the (Iroquois) Rotinonsión:ni Longhouse People as well as supporting other Aboriginal nations as they strive to have their "rites" (rights) and sovereignty recognized.

Sakoieta’ is available for solo or ensemble concerts and residencies. Sakoieta’s performances, which may be tailored in length from 30 to 90 minutes, present traditional flute, song, water drum, rattle, historical and cultural narratives, audience participation and dance. He is also a fully qualified Native American Flute Instructor.

A concert by Sakoieta’ consists of Flute, vocals, water drum, rattles, interspersed with informative stories of Mohawk culture, language, humor, teachings, and dance. 

With the Iroquois Social Dances, especially the Feather Pick Up Dance, Standing Quiver Dance, Round Dance, Alligator Dance, Rabbit Dance, Robin Dance and the Unity Stomp Dance, the audience gets to participate and join Sakoieta’ on stage as they learn how not only to do these dances but also the meanings and teachings behind each dance. 

When Sakoieta’ is accompanied by his wife, Tewutahawiht,of the Oneida Nation-Turtle Clan, different social dances of the Iroquois are demonstrated and performed including the Iroquois Smoke Dance. 

Music is “live”, performed by Tewutahawiht, and Sakoieta’, or by Sakoieta’, himself.

Here's a  good picture a friend of mine took of me at a pow wow, while he was testing his new camera equipment (guess I didn't crack the lens) and two important symbols to me as a Mohawk man. The eagle or Akweks, as we call him, who flys above the Tree of the Great Peace and the wolf, Okwaho, my clan.    

Sakoieta' and the Golden Eagle F# High Spirits Flute made by Odell Borg at High Spirit Flutes. This flute is one of the best flutes I have played to date, along with all the flutes made by Odell. The sound is unbelieveable and looks are the best. These are truly beautiful instruments and gifts from the Creator.

Sakoieta' - Flute Player-Maker-Instructor, Singer, Dancer, Educator, Artist, Craftsperson, Performer, Spiritual Counselor, Speaker, Gardener, Husband, Father and Grandfather, and all around nice guy. No wonder I'm always so busy, especially with the being a nice guy part. Whew!

This is the 2008 Onkwawenna Kentiohkwa Kanienke'ha Adult Mohawk Language Immersion Class. These guys are just a great group of people and Owennatekha, with the help of Kawennakon, is one of the best language instructors that there is. (That's him at the back left hand part of the picture and Kawennakon at the back far right.)

Welcome to the site. Hope you enjoy it.  Don't forget to sign my guestbook and tell me a little bit about yourself. You'll find it on the "contact us" page.