Mohawk Ironworkers

The NYC World Trade Center is ingrained in Mohawk ironwork history. This is the story of 5 Mohawk men who helped build the iconic Twin Towers and post 9/11, Mohawks helped to rebuild the site.

When the NYC Twin Towers were destroyed on 9/11, Mohawk ironworkers helped clear the wreckage of the iconic Towers their fathers built. But no one was prepared for the real impact of the Ground Zero site cleanup.

The Akwesasne Ironworkers Festival is a chance for ironworkers across North America to showcase their craft and hopefully win the "Ultimate Ironworker" award using skills done throughout history by ironworkers on the job.

Kahnawake Mohawks travel to Montreal for the only English-language apprenticeship program in the area, while Akwesasne has a training program right in the community, run under the watchful eye of veteran ironworker William Cook.

Kahnawake's own Albert Stalk began as most ironworkers do, by picking up the trade from his father, but he would soon become world renowned for his daring feats including being the first person to ever climb Paris' Eiffel Tower without safety gear.

New York City has always been the most popular job site to "boom out " for Mohawk Ironworkers who helped build its famous skyline. They still work there, but now commute to NYC to provide for their families back home.

The Hill Brothers, Mike, Gary and Rodney, have over 80 years of ironworking experience between them. Family is key in the ironwork business, with the brothers following in their father's footsteps, and their families supporting them every day on the job, and off.

The Seaway International Bridge, a US-Canada border crossing connecting Akwesasne to Cornwall was maintained by Mohawks, and is now being dismantled by Mohawks. But the bridge has a legacy of more than just steel.

Ironwork is one of the most dangerous and physically demanding jobs in the world, so the health , heritage and family become paramount to successfully cope with life outside the job.

Six Nations of the Grand River is the largest First Nations reserve in Canada, so it is home to a lot of ironworkers, and ironworking lore. Today, two generations of ironworkers work together to build for the future.

A group of Mohawks travel far from home, to a Saskatchewan potash mine where they construct rigs rivaling the size of major skyscrapers. The paydays for the job are great, but the cost of working so far from their families may be even greater.

John Squires has been in the business for over 40 years and there are no signs of stopping him anytime soon. As a veteran ironworker, John is indispensable on a job site, offering his years of wisdom to the next generation.

Female Mohawk ironworkers are shattering stereotypes that the trade is solely a "man's job." Three determined women share their experiences about life on the job site and after.