Playground donation a huge boost to Multi-Purpose Building Project

10/21/2022

Forwarded on behalf of the Multi-Purpose Building Team

The Multi-Purpose Building Committee – comprised of the Partnership of the Kanien′kehá:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa Language & Cultural Center (KORLCC), Turtle Island Theatre, Kahnawà:ke Tourism and the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke – wishes to offer its gratitude for the generous donation pledged last week by Playground Poker. As the Capital Campaign gets underway, the $1 million donation offers a huge boost to the fundraising goal of $16 million towards the Project.

 "The staff, Board, and students are very thankful to Playground Poker/The Rail for its substantial donation to our Capital Campaign," said Kawennanóron Lisa Phillips. "The Playground Team has always been supportive of KORLCC and its programs, activities, and mandate within the community, and we thank them for their continued support and for taking the role of one of the campaign′s lead donators."

"On behalf of all of us, I′d like to thank Playground Poker for its generosity," said Ohén:ton Í:iente ne Ratitsénhaienhs (Grand Chief) Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer, who is the Chairperson of the Capital Campaign′s 12-member fundraising Cabinet. "As we continue to move forward in this most important phase of the Project, every donation is important. We are confident that Playground′s generosity will be the inspiration for other businesses and organizations to participate in the fundraising for our Cultural Center/Museum/Theatre complex – probably our single most significant Project in the last fifty years."

The Kanien′kehá:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa Language & Cultural Center has been housed in a temporary location since its former home was condemned last year, while the Turtle Island Theatre has been without a home since 2013.

"We continue to meet with potential benefactors from both private and public sectors," Sky-Deer continued. "So far, we have secured $6,556,163 for the Capital Campaign. This has given us the confidence to plan for groundbreaking to begin sometime next year."

The new facility will be located on Highway 132 near the Kahnawà:ke Survival School.