For the past 15 years, starting at puberty, more than 1,000 Onkwehonwe (Indigenous) youth have registered for “Under the Husk” – a four-year Haudenodaunee rites of passage ceremony guided by tribal Aunties, Uncles and elders.

Under the Husk empowers youth desperately seeking holistic development, and the program accomplishes this by engaging their mental, physical, emotional and spiritual selves.

“This rites of passage ceremony is rooted in youth wellness, founded in landbased learning, and motivated by ancestral knowledge,” says founder Louise Herne. “It gives them voice to use their experience, abilities, talents and motivations to identify how they can become skilled at who they want to become.

“Some want to master dying Haudenosaunee languages, and others want to become better at their gift of singing, dancing, hunting, farming, healing or become the teachers their ancestors were. In addition to building pathways for Haudenosaunee youth to become the future leaders of their Onkwehonwe communities, Under the Husk instills in them the importance of planting their own seeds for the benefit of future generations.”

Under the Husk began more than 15 years ago with a vision of Mohawk Bear Clan Mother, Wakerahkats:teh, affectionately called “Mama Bear.” Seeing her community falling apart to the detrimental effects lack of culture was having at individual and community levels, Mama Bear felt something needed to be done. In her search for a plan, she found the answer in the ancestral knowledge that had been passed down to her by her mother and grandmother.

Under the Husk not only assists in the transition of a youth into adulthood, it also resists the devastating impacts of colonization, reverses effects of the residential school systems and reclaims ancestral knowledge.

“Our rites of passage ceremony has created a web of knowledge, trust, healing, unity, and empowerment across the Haudenosaunee Confederacy,” said Louise. “Over time, the purpose of Under the Husk has evolved to include cultural restoration and language preservation as one of the strongest protective factors against many forms of social ailments that threaten the wellness of current and future Onkwehonwe generations.”

Thanks to the supporters of Running Strong for American Indian Youth®, this year Running Strong was able to provide grant funding that helped provide resources such as black ash splints to teach the weaving of baskets, as well as helping to allow for continuing programming year-round with local knowledge holders, said Louise.