Kahnawake, Indigenous territory on the Saint Lawrence River in Quebec, Canada
Kahnawake is a Mohawk territory on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River in the Roussillon region of Quebec. The territory covers 50 square kilometers and sits directly across from Montreal, with several communities along the waterfront and inland areas.
Jesuits founded a mission here in 1719 for Mohawk families who had left their original settlement areas south of the lake. The community maintained its self-governing structures through different colonial and federal regimes.
The name comes from the Mohawk language and means "at the rapids", referring to the waterway that shaped daily life here for centuries. Many homes display the Haudenosaunee flag alongside Canadian symbols, showing how residents maintain their identity while living near a major city.
Route 132 runs directly through the territory, connecting it to Montreal and other communities along the river shore. Several shops and workshops sell handicrafts and traditional foods, with most open during daytime hours on weekdays.
The territory operates its own gaming commission that licenses online gambling sites, creating an unusual revenue source for the community. This activity has led to technology-related jobs that differ from traditional economic activities in the region.
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