“Under the Husk”: Special Film at ASWM Conference

“Ohero:kon – Under the Husk,” by Katsitsionne Fox

“Ohero:kon – Under the Husk” is a 26-min documentary following the journey of  two Mohawk girls as they take part in their traditional passage rites to becoming Mohawk Women.  Kaienkwinehtha and Kasennakohe are childhood friends from traditional families living in the Mohawk Community of Akwesasne that straddles the U.S. / Canada border.  They both take part in a four-year adolescent passage rites ceremony that we were able to revive for our youth even though it had not been practiced for generations. This ceremony challenges them spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically.  It shapes the women they become.

The ceremony is called Ohero:kon because the corn is a metaphor for the youth that are meant to be protected by the husk until they are grown. We started with seven youth, and in just ten years there were more than 80 youth with Ohero:kon branching out to sister communities as well. The women and men in our community were called upon to be aunties and uncles to these young people and guide them through a transition we had never experienced ourselves. We learned with them and were amazed by how this ceremony awakened their gifts and strengthened their spirits.

“There are so few films that reflect the true strength and beauty of our young people, especially our young women. It is important for us to be in the driver seat of these stories of hope and empowerment that are unfolding in Native communities across Turtle Island.

The Film “Ohero:kon – Under the Husk” has screened across the country at a variety of film festivals. The film engages the audience to reflect on the importance of recognizing Rites of Passage in their own culture. I enjoy the dialogue that is sparked by the film.”

—Melissa Katsitsionne Fox

“ Ohero:kon: Under the Husk” has won the imagineNATIVE Jane Glassco Award for an Emerging Filmmaker (2016) and the LA Skins Fest – Achievement in Documentary Filmmaking Award for 2016. It is available for purchase through Women Make Movies.