Akwesasne has gained a victory in regards to the human rights complaint filed to the Ontario Provincial government by Iakonikonriiosta, an Akwesasronon and resident of Kawenohke- Cornwall Island, ON; the northern portion of the territory. Bill 173 will honor indigenous naming practices within the province of Ontario, allowing individuals to go by a single traditional name, for those that wish to do so.
Iakonikonriiosta filed this complaint with the Ontario Provincial government in December of 2014, after recognizing the barriers her children, who all carry a single moniker, faced at the many aspects of adult and professional life.
After the terrorist attacks on 9/11, it became increasingly difficult or impossible for individuals who carry a single name to acquire Social Insurance numbers in Canada, as the government no longer accepted the Mohawk Nation birth certificates.
According to Iakonikonriiosta, it took about six months to get an answer, and in June of 2015 the Ontario Provincial government told her to give them about six months to talk with the appropriate parties, i.e. Banks, other first nations, CBSA, to identify any issues there may be for individuals using a single name. In December of 2015 she received the news that her fight for the recognition of indigenous naming practices was successful.
Iakonikonriiosta says, “Bill 173 will allow individuals who want to follow their traditional customs and their culture to have just a single name, to be able to register their children, and for adults to be able to change their name back to the traditional single name.”
Currently Bill 173 is in Royal Assent, which is the final stage of the legislative process, or formal process, in which a new bill is passable. Any new law must be passed by both Houses of Parliament to become law. Once Royal Assent is given to a bill it then becomes an act of Parliament and part of the law of Canada.
The new proposed amendments are included in the Ontario 2016 – 2017 budget, and should be in effect by June 2016. There are currently about 20 families within Akwesasne that are interested in returning to using a single name, as well as registering their children and grandchildren in this practice. The indigenous naming practices will be respected only within the province of Ontario, and New York State. Those individuals born and/or residing within the province of Quebec will have to have someone promote this legislature for indigenous naming practices to the Quebec Provincial government. This act has gained the attention of other First Nations across Canada, and lots of others are interested in making this a reality in their communities as well.
According to Iakonikonriiosta, there will be a proposed set of criteria that must be proven to be able to justify this naming practice. Individuals must prove that they come from a community with these cultural naming practices, and the registrar general has to approve this. All of the specifics will be outlined after this new law passes through the Royal Assent stage.
One of Iakonikonriiosta’s eldest daughters Karonhiotha, says that she cannot express into words her excitement. “I could talk for days about what this means to me. Now, every time I have to present my ID and get asked “what’s your last name?†I tell them I don’t have one and mention bill 173 being passed. It’s like a mini celebration every time! I feel a lot of good changes coming from this.â€
For a brief cultural background, ATV spoke with Akwesasronon, long house member, and father of four, Aronhiaies Herne. He says that winning that legislation is a step in the right direction.  “For me the real goal would be to not have to ask permission or fight in legislation to do what we want or to be who we are. We shouldn’t have to ask permission to be who we are,” says Herne.
Herne explained that naming has a lot to do with what the weather was like, or what was happening during birth. “It’s very personal for each person. I’ve been taught too that when someone gets their name they begin to take on those characteristics of that name and what it describes. A lot can be told about a person’s personality just from their name. It helps us to understand how each person will behave. Our naming practices come from the creation story, when the twins were born the grandmother asked each what was on their minds and based on each response; she gave them names that correspond with their personalities and their responses.â€
Many Akwesasronon feel differently on the matter, but now there is the option available to those who wish to carry out their indigenous naming practices. Bill 173 has opened a new door for Akwesasne, and many discussions in regards to this new bill. It has also created precedent for other provinces and first nations to seek recognition for their naming practices.
ATV: By  Ohseraséia:hawi
