Akwesasne Freedom School

 History of Funding 

For more than forty years, area industries thrived from low-cost electricity produced by the hydro-electric project adjacent to Akwesasne. Starting in the early 1970s, Mohawk people noticed the harmful effects of persistent toxicants originating from local industries. Mohawk lands, air and water have been contaminated, endangering traditional land usage, subsistence lifestyles and cultural practices. As a result, parents were prompted to take action to relocate the school. Fundraising activities helped purchase 152 acres of land seven miles east of the present school site. We are now seeking support to finish the 8,000 square foot passive solar building. The foundation and frame were begun in 1990, but unfortunately, a community crisis building project and fundraising efforts to a halt.

 Parent fundraising pays for their basic operating costs of the school (fuel, electric, telephone, school supplies, paper products and cleaning supplies). However, with rising fuel costs and funding cuts, we continue to struggle on a daily basis to educate our children. The Akwesasne Freedom School has an on-going need for general support to ensure its continued operation. The annual operating cost of our school is approximately $500,000 per year. The budget includes 17 staff plus overhead and maintenance of 2 buildings. Recent budget cuts have created shortfalls and financial difficulties for the school. In responding to parental requests and student needs, the school has added a grade 9. Parents would like to continue this grade in the future and extend our teaching efforts to include a Mohawk immersion high school.

However, additional funding would be needed to act upon this dream. With space limitations, we have begun to seek financial support to finish our 8,000 square foot passive solar building. The foundation and frame were begun in 1990, but unfortunately, a community crisis brought the building project and fundraising efforts to a halt.

Your help is needed

 The Akwesasne Freedom School has existed on a shoestring budget for over 25 years. Fundraising by parents and volunteers at quilt auctions, lunches and bake sales covers basic operating costs. However, with recent funding cuts, rising costs and the need to make extensive repairs to our aging buildings, we struggle on a daily basis to educate our children. Donations from foundations and individuals are desperately needed for both general support/ operation and for new building construction. In 1993 the Friends of the Akwesasne Freedom School, Inc. was established as a 510?(3) organization to ensure a prosperous future for the students and staff of the school.

Due to AFS being a non-profit school, we truly depend on our donations and fundraising events to keep our school up and running for our children and the future of our culture. We are proud to have been able to do so well for this many years being a non-profit school. We could not have kept this school going for as long as we have if it was not for the many people and organizations that have make donations to us. We thank you all for the help you have given us. We thank you for helping the non-profit organization here at Akwesasne Freedom School!