MARIJUANA HAS NEVER BEEN PART OF NATIVE CULTURE

In an article about the recent homicide in Akwesasne that ran on
Wednesday, Sept. 10, the Standard-Freeholder printed the following
text: "The friend said marijuana use, for example, is considered an
important part of native culture."

I don't know who your anonymous source was for this, but it is false.
While I don't claim to be expert on all native cultures, among the
traditional Mohawk, marijuana is considered a "mind changer" and is
forbidden by our teachings, specifically the Kariwiio, also known as
the Code of Handsome Lake. There are some who smoke it to alleviate
various medical conditions, but it is not considered one of our
traditional medicines.

Please dig a little deeper and consult other sources before publishing
such statements in the future.

DARREN BONAPARTE

Akwesasne Mohawk Territory