Seeking Peace: A Mohawk’s Journey to Understanding What Success Truly Is

A powerful, moving memoir from Mohawk Olympian Waneek Horn‑Miller—a story of resilience, cultural strength and redefining what true success means

At fourteen, Waneek Horn‑Miller survived being stabbed during the Oka Crisis—an experience that could have ended her Olympic dreams. Instead, inspired by her mother’s strength, she pushed forward, becoming a gold‑medal winner at the 1999 Pan American Games and competing in water polo at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

Not medalling at the Olympics brought unexpected disillusionment and depression. Wrestling with Western ideas of achievement, Horn‑Miller turned inward, seeking a deeper, more grounded understanding of success. Drawing on the Mohawk concept of the warrior—Rotiskonakehte, “keepers of the peace”—she reframed life’s journey as an ongoing pursuit of finding peace within ourselves, our families and our communities.

A model of perseverance, good-natured humour and wisdom, Horn-Miller inspires you to follow your dreams, fight for your heritage, and find and define your own peace. Drawing on her personal story and the wisdom of the Elders and communities that helped her along the way, Seeking Peace is an incredible, moving and often counterintuitive guide to reaching new heights and truly embracing who you are.