Warriors Path: Rotiskenrakete
MNN. Feb. 4, 2013. The Great Law has definite functions for the War Chief and his men [Warriors]. They are charged with the protection, defense and welfare of the people. These duties take many forms; keeping the peace, teaching, speaking to the people, repossessing lost lands, maintaining human rights, diplomatic relations with other nations, and all work that promotes the People’s welfare. [Wampum 36, Great Law.] 
A warrior’s duties are based on the natural instinct to survive. It is not man-made. He will tell us his name. After receiving his name before the people, he becomes a member of the community.
Totah!
His mother, grandmothers and grandfathers raise him from birth until his voice changes. They help him develop “onigonra”, the mind, which is his fire. They feed, clothe and make him comfortable, strong and healthy. He learns the basic aspects of indigenous life. The women observe all the young people and find their special gifts, to be guided and trained for certain duties.
Then his uncles on his mother’s side take him. He fasts to seek his protection and medicine. His umbilical cord and the soil of his territory are placed in his medicine bag, which he always wears.
He learns to defend himself and build up his endurance. His physical training begins before sunrise every morning. He starts running as far and as hard as he can until high noon. He sees something new and different every day within nature around him, the night creatures, flowers opening up, birds singing and the day insects coming out.
He’s on the path.
His will comes from nature. He has to know our laws and ways and apply the truth. Kaianereh’ko:wa is based on truth and nature: skenna, kariwiio and kasastsensera [peace righteousness and power]. Sa-o-ie-ra means it’s natural, instilled in us by creation. We have the natural instinct to protect ourselves, our people, our clans, our territories and everything that sustains life.
We were taken off the path by genocide programs of the invaders of Great Turtle Island. They brought man-made beliefs that violated nature. For a time we became confused.
Warriors of old did not have to deal with media manipulations, high tech police surveillance, wanted posters, phony charges to criminalize them into submission to the colonial system.
Our ancestors sacrificed much so that we would survive. Nature is here forever. We are real people forever, Onkwehonwe.
The Rotiskenrakete is not a soldier, but a defender of the people. Peace is the warrior’s goal. He knows the war is not over until it is won. If the conflict continues, the black wampum string is dropped. They fight until they win. The adversary must agree to live peacefully under the great law of peace. Then they will retain their culture, language, government, land and ways.
Rotiskenrakete are the carriers of the soil of Great Turtle Island. As long as the Ongwehonwe are here, the Rotiskenrakete will be here too. All men are warriors. It’s natural.
Great White Buffalo is here now!
As Ted Nugent sang in “Great White Buffalo’’, about our young men: “When I looked above the canyon wall, some strong eyes did I see. I think it’s somebody comin’ around to save my ass, baby. I think he’s comin’ around to save you and me… Look out, baby, here he comes… he’s comin’ to get ya!”
MNN Mohawk Nation News kahentinetha2@yahoo.com For more news, books, workshops, to donate and sign up for MNN newsletters, go to www.mohawknationnews.com More stories at MNN Archives. Address: Box 991, Kahnawake [Quebec, Canada] J0L 1B0
