OUR STORY

2025 marks the ten year anniversary of the Waterfall Unity Alliance. The Alliance was initially formed as a frontline organization in 2015 when traditional Kanien’kehá:ka leaders from the Akwesasne Reserve came to stand with local residents against The Constitution Pipeline, a major fracked gas pipeline slated to cross ancestral Mohawk territory in the Schoharie Valley. The Waterfall Unity Alliance was part of a coalition of grassroots groups that successfully campaigned for New York State to deny the pipeline’s construction permit, setting a historic precedent as the first defeat of a federally approved, interstate mega-pipeline. Standing together against the pipeline also meant standing for each other, and for righting historical wrongs in the ways that we can in this generation. Members of the Alliance also made a foundational pledge to help open the door for the peaceful return of the Kanien'kehá:ka to their ancestral homelands – and to work together to protect the forest, waters, farms, wildlife and peoples of Skóhare and the Schoharie Creek bioregion.

In 2020, the Waterfall Unity Alliance changed from being a loosely organized frontline organization to a registered 501c3 whose mission was “to protect the Schoharie Valley and all Earth; build alliances across movements and cultures; and help create solutions to the existential challenges of our time". It was a transition from preventing harm to actively restoring and rebuilding ecological and community health for all peoples, in unity and in service to Mother Earth.

Also in 2020, Roger Kanerahtiio Jock (a founding member of the Waterfall Unity Alliance) began the construction of a traditional Haudenosaunee Longhouse near Panther Falls, the waterfall from which the Alliance takes its name. People from all walks of life came to help build the Longhouse, volunteer and welcome the Mohawks back to the Valley – as well as to sing together, listen to stories and learn about the Great Law of Peace, which governs how we come together as communities.

"In building the Longhouse we are making the connection between the sky (our true Longhouse) and the Earth. It is a place of teaching about our creation stories and principles of living in harmony as they were given to our people in the original Good Message and reinforced by the Great Law of Peace." – Kanerahtiio Roger Jock

The Longhouse opened a powerful doorway of healing and return that culminated, in November 2022, with the purchase of Skywoman’s Forever Farm, a 60 acre berry farm in the heart of the Schoharie Valley, as the first farm landback project in New York State.

In 2023 Kawenniiosta Jock (Roger’s daughter) and Bethany Yarrow (WUA Founding Member) became the first official co-directors of the Waterfall Unity Alliance, working together with an all-female board to complete the rematriation of Skywoman’s Forever Farm and return the land to fully indigenous stewardship and control.

In late 2024, as the farm grew in its independence and comfort with the non-profit world, Rowen White joined the organization as the Transition Director to support the Farm as it moves from being a project of the Waterfall Unity Alliance towards being its own not-for-profit 501c3 organization. It is thrilling and moving beyond words to experience the seeds of a shared dream blossom into a rooted reality of healing and return.

Now that the center of energy of the Kanien'kéha:ka community has moved to Skywoman's Farm, the Longhouse will be also be moved there, back to the ancestral Turtle Clan Village by the Schoharie Creek – where the culture and teachings can be shared by the Original People to whom it belongs. The Longhouse was meant to be a living symbol of the return of the Original People, and the Original Instructions of the Great Law of Peace, to Skóhare. The symbol remains as powerful as ever and has already helped begin a great process of transformation. Nia:wenkowa to everyone who helped firmly plant those cedar poles in the ground. The prayer is moving and is growing its own community. This is what rematriation and healing can look like.

🌻The farm is almost paid off!🌻

Please click here to donate towards the last $85,000 needed to liberate the land from debt and return Skywoman's Forever Farm to the original stewards and guardians of Skóhare.

DONATE TO THE FARM

VIEW THE 2023 ANNUAL REPORT

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES

The foundational pledge of the Waterfall Unity Alliance has been fulfilled. After many years of ceremonies, visioning, hard work and community support – together we opened the door for the peaceful return of the Kanien'kehá:ka to Skóhare. It has been an extraordinary journey full of so many teachings – many mistakes, lots of forgiveness, lots of love, passion, creativity, and hope. The Waterfall Unity Alliance proudly continues to support Skywoman's Forever Farm as part of its mission of protecting the Schoharie Valley and creating solutions to the existential challenges of our time. We have also broadened our organizational scope and are sponsoring other projects led by traditional cultural leaders like Bonga Jean-Baptiste (Haiti) and Lázaro Medina Hernandez (Cuba) who have been part of our Waterfall Unity family for many years. It is an honor to support these original lineage holders and continue our ongoing efforts of building alliances across movements and cultures; growing this Alliance of relations; continuing the work of healing, respect, and understanding; and working together to re-weave the sacred hoop of life.