MNN. Dec. 15, 2014. Ono’waregeh is Mohawk for Great Turtle Island. New Victoria Mayor, Lisa Helps, swore an oath to the Ongwe’hon:we of the area. When all mayors refuse to take an oath to the Queen, the Privy Council will be removed and colonization will end.
Privy Council: “Brother, can you spare a dime?”
Control over everything regarding the land reverts to the Ongwe’hon:we caretakers. The word “government” comes from the Greek words, “governado” and “mente”, meaning “to control the mind”. This will end.
In the natural calender December 25th is the first day of the new year. The sun rises one degree north and the new cycle begins. This year peace will take hold on Kanion’ke:haka land known as the “Seigneury”.
The real Quebecois were never assimilated and want peace on earth that the Kaianere’ko:wa represents. The British oligarchs forced their corporate Admiralty system on them, which they resisted every step of the way. Unfortunately, they are still trapped in the Admiralty system. They have a role with us to balance this impediment. The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake Inc. is illegally trying to relocate the Kanion’ke:haka of Kahnawake to stop the spread of the Great Peace. To the oligarchs the Great Peace is more deadly to their new world order program than any of their man-made killer viruses like ebola and AIDS.
MCK Inc., this “Seigneury” trick failed in 1975.
The Quebecois inspired the French revolution in 1784. The last Dauphin, son of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, ended up in Kahnawake.
The Admiralty matrix creates divisions within all of our communities. In Kaianere’ko:wa, the Great Peace, the women’s jurisdiction is everything in the natural world. They set up Councils of Women to run each of their communities. Every plant, animal and person is taken care of in a sustainable way. The men ensure that everyone interacts with the community following the Great Peace. The Admiralty system of judiciary, jails and police are unnecessary.
Our next peace conference will happen soon. Like the 1701 Great Peace of Montreal, the world will join the Quebecois and the Kanion’ke:haka and peace will start to spread.
The Great Peace is about families. We become of one mind on issues that affect our communities. The people of each community has the power as it is meant.
Everyone is a warrior for spreading the Great Peace. Once women, as the progenitors of the soil, take their true natural place, then the peace will be able to spread to the world. The men protect the women. No one harms the women, the children and all living things in the community. The Great Peace is their authority.
As Jigosaseh did before the last sun with Deganawida, when the Quebecois and the Mohawk women make peace, it will spread like wildfire. Soon available on the MNN home page will be the French translation of the Great Peace.
As Memphis Slim sings: “Don’t care how great you are. Don’t care what you’re worth. When it all ends up, you gotta go back to mother earth”.
MNN. Dec. 2, 2014. The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake is calling for a one-day community consultation on the supposed loss of the Seigneury of Sault St. Louis SSSL by the Mohawks of Kahnawake. It was not lost. We always knew where it was! We are not the intruders. Yet we are being asked if we want to stay on our homeland. To ask that question means they know it’s ours. Discussion is being restricted to accepting the loss of our lands, whether it’s possible for its return and will we be removed.
Deganawida calls the people together for a meeting of the minds.
These remarks are those of elders who are of like minds, based on our teachings before the coming of the colonizers.
The band council framed the question as though we are accepting the loss of our land. It can’t be returned to us, as it’s already ours. We can’t give up something that belongs to our children. it’s our duty and responsibility to protect the birthright of our children for their free use and right to our homeland.
This international issue must include all Rotinoshonni. SSSL is part of Kanienkehaka, “people of the flint”, which is part of the Rotinoshonni/Iroquois Confederacy, the 49 families of the Confederacy and our friends and allies. The entire area is Kanienkeh. All of our brothers and sisters should be reminded that our lands are not for sale. We continue to adhere to those teachings.
The issue is the illegitimate occupation of non-Ongwehonwe communities on 45,000 acres of a small portion of our massive land tract. The Canadian government is responsible for the centuries of use of our land and resources, disrupting our way of life and the existing problems we have had to endure. How can the non-Ongwehonwe make this up to us? Are those who wish to remain going to cooperate with us? Do the occupiers want to stay or leave? Do they want to live under a council of our People?
Do they wish to follow our law and live in peace with the Ongwehonwe or not? Those settlers who wish to remain must live according to the Kaianerehkowa. Those who do not must vacate and reside among those of like minds. The MCK, an arm of Quebec and Canada, may join us or leave with those who don’t want to comply.
The “legal fiction” is that in 1680 French King Louis XIV gave our land to the Jesuits. In 1762 General Gage of the British military dispossessed them and affirmed the land is that of the Iroquois, their friends and allies.
On October 25, 1924, the colony of Canada illegally turned Kahnawake into a POW camp. Now they want to relocate us. We are here to stay! The settlers who are on the Seigneury will compensate us as they did before the genocidal event of 1924.
The whole economy of US and Canada is based on them continuing the lie that our land can be monetized. As soon as we agree to this fraud, the bankers win. This meeting is meant to put a dollar value on our land. We refuse to participate in this illegal scam.
We are here to stir up your minds. As Charlie Pride says: “Oh, the snakes crawl at night. That’s what they say. When the sun goes down, then the snakes will play”.
MNN. Sep. 15, 2014. On September 26, 2012, Prime Minister Harper of the Corporation of Canada signed a treaty, the Canada-China Investment Agreement, with Hu Jintao in Vladivostok Russia. Some Canadians think it’s a threat to Canadian sovereignty.
Prime Minister Harper: “Have I got a deal for you”!
The owners of the land and resources, the Indigenous people, were never informed, consulted nor consented. There were no briefings, news releases, studies by any committees, which would have revealed this as immoral. Only the trade committee was told. Now the Cabinet, not Parliament, will vote on it.
The Hupacaseth First Nation challenged the treaty in court, which delayed ratification. This past summer, the Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSEC) charged that the Peoples’ Republic of China had hacked into the National Research Council database. China may have realized that Canada has no right to sell out the resources of the Indigenous people.
“Those Indians are pulling off our masks!”
Member of Parliament for the Green Party, Elisabeth May, says, “Once ratified, the Canada-China Investment Agreement will [illegally] bind Canada, and future governments, for 31 years”. This agreement cannot be exited for the first 15 years. Then either country can exit on one year’s notice. Existing investments are protected for another 15 years.
“Captain Harper, China is that way!!”
The corporation of Canada will soon be bankrupt and dissolved. All past, present and future corporate deals are invalid. Canada is a corporation that usurped law of the land and replaced it with the law of the sea. All courts in Canada are Admiralty. Our resources are not under the law of the sea. They are under the law of the land. Any trade deals for our natural resources must be made with us directly under the law of this land. All sovereign countries are being coerced by the criminal corporate entity known as Canada under the law of the sea.
“We have to be consulted!”
Every native person in Canada objects to this agreement and demands to be consulted by anyone who wishes to desecrate the earth. Kaianerekowa, the law of this land, provides that the Council of Women in each community shall be delegated to take care of the entire community as outlined the “ohenton kariwatekwen”. This includes the earth, water, fish, medicine and food plants, trees, winged ones, four legged and the people.
Sovereign nations of the world, beware of the scam artists coming your way under the guise of “US” and “Canada”.
Stephen Harper probably hums to himself the Dean Martin tune: “I’d love to get you on a slow boat to China, all to myself alone”.Dean Martin. “Slow Boat to China”.
MNN. NOV. 6, 2013. Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and Prime Minister Stephen Harper grew up In West Toronto, lived and shopped at the same plaza!! Canadians and world elites are supporting these degenerates! Ford is on a video smoking crack. Harper bribed a senator. They both think, “We can do anything we want.” The masses are slaves to tyrants? The elites protect each other’s criminal activities. Those who make the most money make the rules. The plutocracy of white privilege supported by the money put into their off-shore bank accounts by multinational bankers can do as they please. The polls support them. The mainstream media shamelessly promotes these con men worldwide.
Rob Ford’s friend [to the right] was shot shortly after this video was shot.
Their slave masters own the banks, corporations, governments, congress, parliament, prime ministers, presidents, judges, military and mainstream media. The war economy keeps them in power.
People are waking from the “owistah” disease but stay silent. They falsely believe there would be chaos, uprisings, bloodshed, anarchy or mob rule without repression. They are told this is the only way to keep getting the bounty the slave system offers. Stalin said, “It matters not who wins the vote, only who counts it” [the polls].
The people are conditioned from birth to defend their rulers even if they are stupid, low class, immoral vicious tyrants.
People are documented subjects owned by the corporation. Everyone with any identity card signed by the beast registered with the corporations is a slave. Fake rules enforced by cops, courts and threats keep them in line. The Supreme Court Act 1949 required a constitutional amendment that never happened. It is unconstitutional, or illegal. The invaders imported this system of control.
We were lied to, “Slavery is good for you to become civilized physically, morally and intellectually”. “We will keep you safe from the terrorists we created to scare you.” Natural freedom-loving Indigenous saw through it and could not be enslaved.
The depraved are elected into office, those who will lie and kill their own family on behalf of the corporation. These lazy, greedy, morally bankrupt and stupid politicians run a structure masquerading as a democracy.
The police state, loss of civil liberties and property is here. The masses are now being herded into FEMA camps to be exterminated. FEMA camps for exiled.
The corrupt will leave Great Turtle Island and return to the “Fatherland” where they will die or rot in prison. The problem is “me” and the solution is “we”.
Removing us to take our Natural Resources is necessary for the planned One World Order corporate banking elite. The solution is “The Great Law and The White Roots of Peace”. See: Video: Warning to AFN of NWO. Decolonize Open Letter to AFN Shawn Atleo, Chiefs, Clan Mother…
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
MNN. Aug. 28, 2013. In the spring of 2005 the women of Akwesasne asked the men to fill council positions in the Turtle, Wolf and Bear clans. Bear and Wolf Clans each selected three men and the Turtle Clan selected one. During the next few years, they worked on establishing various businesses to help the people.
In July 2011 to September 2012 the Three Feathers casino in Akwesasne was operated by the Longhouse people.
Rorahkwiserake of Wolf Clan.
At 5.00 a.m. on December 18, 2012 Three Feathers was raided by US federal marshals, border patrol agents and Mohawk tribal police. Rorahkwiserake of the Wolf Clan was arrested at the business site on a US warrant using NYS Inc. gambling laws that are invalid in Akwesasne. Three men were named in indictments. Kahnieretiio of the Bear Clan was placed under house arrest and could not leave Akwesasne. Tony Laughing was also placed under house arrest with an ankle bracelet. Bail [ransom] of $50,000 was set for Rorahkwiserake of the Wolf Clan who remains in a Plattsburgh NY prison.
On December 28 2012 the Six Nations Rotiskenrakehte/Men received the issue. Six Nations Counsel of Chiefs, Tekarihoken Royaner, offered his clan family support. Kanenhariyo, on formal loan from the Turtle Clan, became temporary Ayonwes [War Chief].
The Two Row Wampum agreement gave Europeans limited rights to live on our land. They are bound to return any of our people who may be in violation to be judged by our people. We must also return their prisoners to them. [Two Row Wampum, Great Law of Peace and Great Peace of Montreal 1701.] Ignorance of the law is no excuse.
The Mohawk/Kanionkehaka are the northern “Keepers of the Eastern Door” of the Iroquois Confederacy. We are the enforcers of the Great Peace and protect our people, territory and waterways. The charges by the foreign corporations of the United States, New York State, US federal marshals, border patrols and Mohawk tribal police against our people are illegal. The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Inc. is a foreign entity. The Kaianerekowa/Great Law of Peace is the only law of Onowaregeh. We never forfeited jurisdiction over ourselves, our land and resources to foreign entities incorporated under the Admiralty law of the seas. We have a rightful duty to resist.
These principles are affirmed in the US Constitution, British North America Act; the international Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Prevention of Genocide, United Nations Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and other international legal instruments that the US and Canada have signed.
General Assembly Resolution 1541 [XV] requires the informed consent of the people before they are included in another state; the international Court of Justice affirmed this in the Western Sahara case; and the Indigenous people never consented to be part of the US and Canada.
All individual or foreign entities wishing to discuss issues with us must go through proper protocol, which is the US President and Queen Elizabeth, who represents the occupiers.
This illegal interference in Indigenous trade and commerce will end. The Mohawks will resist illegality and affirm our inherent rights.
Custer: Johnny Cash & Buffy Sainte-Marie. remind us that the Great Law will help us win: “There might have been more enthusin’ if us Indians had been losin’/But the General he don’t ride well anymore/General George A.Custer oh his yellow hair had lustre…”
MNN Mohawk Nation News kahentinetha2@yahoo.com For more news, books, workshops, to donate and sign up for MNN newsletters, go to mohawknationnews.com More stories at MNN Archives. Address: Box 991, Kahnawake [Quebec, Canada J0L 1B0]
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
MNN: JULY 27, 2012. Important Notice! Come to Ohsweken to understand our heritage, the laws of creation and the path we must stay on. We have a way to counteract the confusion and deceit the invaders have inflicted upon us and our land. We must bring our minds together for our future generations, to counteract the destruction. The guidance is in understanding the Kaianerekowa, the Great Law of Peace.
GREAT LAW RECITAL
PEOPLE OF ALL NATIONS WELCOME
August 10 – 19, 2012
Gaylord Powless Arena & Six Nations Community Hall
Please forward this notice to your interested contacts. Nia:wen.
Directions: Ohsweken is one hour west of Toronto near Brantford, Ontario.
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
Thereupon Tekanawita’ said, “I decree that when they arrive there, the ones walking on the road, at the place where one has made a fire for them (near the thorny bushes), then they will stand up on the different sides of the fire, the chiefs, according to their Confederacy moiety affiliation. Thereupon the people, the old people and youths and children, everyone will stand up, lining up according to ranks.Thereupon on the other side of the fire will be the bereaved, these having appointed one who will walk back and forth alongside of the fireplace, doing so repeatedly and he will have a cane along.”Thereupon Tekanawita’ said, ” I decree that when he begins walking back and forth, this is what he will say; ‘Today, I suddenly became aware of your voices sounding across the forest. Approaching, moving across, barriers you saw it coming, traces of
them, our ancestors. As if just barely, it is becoming ominous, for smoke should still be rising at the place, the place where they used to smoke and where, formerly, we gained wisdom. There, as you came, you saw numerous signs of our
ancestors; and this, indeed, how can it be at ease, your mind, with teardrops falling as you came, my father’s kinsmen. We give thanks that now you have crossed the forest. Presently, together we assemble and then together we shall sit, my
father’s kinsmen. This in fact is ominous, for possibly, these might have killed you, the water holes. And these beings, actually, are everywhere, they having claws all over. This, possibly, might have killed you, where the ax is raised repeatedly,
This possibly might have killed you. We give thanks that, just so, indeed, now you have crossed the forest.’ How ominous, had it happened thus: had you fallen on the trail back then and they suddenly noticed, coming to a stop, they, becoming
horrified, saying, ‘Over yonder, bodies are lying there, they even have antlers on’ and they wondering, what, apparently, was done? We give thanks that now you have reached us safely. This is what they have decreed, our ancestors: They will kindle a fire for them near the thorny bushes and they will console them with the few words’.
Yonder where they referred the matter, they will cause it to lead them by the arm, toward the Council House. There they will seat them, at the Council House. There all matters will get accomplished, as they will rub down their bodies. Now moreover, you, the principals of your clans whose fireplaces were abandoned, where submerged
bushes tremble in gathering waters of rough currents. Thus the number of your clans: Wolves, now you two are Confederacy moiety brothers, the people stand they of the cattail place they of the sand place, the Oswego people thus the number of your clans, you two moiety brothers. Now your children: They from Oneida, Standing Stone,
the white one, and the Cayugas , thus the number of your clans of ancient times.”Thereupon Tekanawita’ said, “Now I decree that these will speak first, the bereaved, saying, ‘On this day, at this time as he himself created it, a number of persons, you all, are arriving, my father’s kinsmen, and now we are assembled with you who
have walked on the path as decreed by our founders, our ancestors, Moreover your tears fell as you came, following the path, reaching the place they indicated, (Here begins the Wiping of the Tears Ceremony the requickening) the place where one will lay a fire near the thorny bushes, for the few words to complete them. Now, moreover, my father’s kinsmen, you will keep in mind what they will say, the Four Brothers; and this is the wonderful news, that now you have reached us here you, the
Three Brothers, who shed great tears, as you were coming on the road. Moreover, you
will keep in mind that he passed his hand through his tears, they wiping your tears
with this white, soft cloth they use when they wipe your tears. Then, moreover, you will look around calmly, and you will see them all about you, roaming around, your nephews and nieces, and then you will see the land again. Thereupon you will begin to think calmly again; moreover for at least one day, you should be thinking peacefully.’ That, perhaps, is how they will do it, the Four Brothers
Thereupon the wampum will cross over the fire towards the Three Brothers who will grasp hold of it, and continuing on, secondly, he will say, ‘My father’s kinsmen, thus it happens and it is dreadful that it should happen to one, that repeatedly
ones ear becomes plugged so that one cannot hear anymore, moreover, thus it has happened to you, my father’s kinsmen. So now they are carefully reopening your ears.
Now, moreover, they will be restored, and you will hear them speaking again, those moving about near you, your nephews and nieces. Now, also, you will hear again about how things are going at the settlement. Now, moreover, you will think calmly, and for at least one day you should continue thinking calmly.’ That, perhaps, is how they will do it, the Four Brothers.
Thereupon it will move across the fire, the wampum, and continuing on, thirdly, he will say, ‘This is the way it happens, it is dreadful for it to happen that one is overpowered by unhappiness. Thus it is repeatedly obstructing the throat, one grief, so that it happens to you that your throat becomes clogged by grief. So now they
free it from grief, your throat. Then, moreover, you will think calmly again, and then you will once more breathe peacefully, speaking out calmly, as we give thanks.
Thereupon you will think calmly in the future, and you should continue to think calmly for at least one day.’ That, perhaps, is how they will do it, the Four
Brothers. Thereupon he will end his speech and it will cross the fire, the wampum.
Thereupon the Three Brothers will answer, and their speaker will first say, ‘ We accept what you are doing, you who are downstream from us; moreover, you will attend to what is happening concerning your various words.’ Then, moreover, they will speak up, the Three Brothers; first they will say, ‘Indeed, it is not a one-sided matter
what has happened to you, for this is what brought them, the Three Brothers, this dreadful thing that has happened to you, the Four Brothers, which has caused a vacant spot in your relationship group, for now he has died, he in whom they used to place their trust, his now has become a vacant space. Now, moreover, a time of great tears has come to you, the Four Brothers.’ Then, moreover, the Three Brothers will say, ‘We are removing your tears.’ Moreover a handkerchief is what they use, and
‘when we wipe your tears, you will look around again, and then you will notice them near you, moving about, your nephews and nieces, and then you will once more see the land, and you will hear again what is going on in the settlement; you will be happy in the future and you will think peacefully for at least one day.’ This, perhaps, is the way they will do it, the Three Brothers.
Thereupon one strand of wampum will go back across the fire, they taking it back, their word. The Four Brothers, and the matter will continue on; then he will say, ‘It happens, and it is a dreadful thing, that repeatedly they get plugged, one’s
ears. Moreover this is what happened to you, for you cannot hear because your ears have become clogged.’ Moreover, the Three Brothers will say, ‘Now we will clear out your ears. Then you will hear them talk as they move about near you, and then you will hear everything that is going on where they live; you will be happy again in the future; Moreover, for at least one day you will think peacefully.’ That, perhaps, is how the Three Brother will do it.
Thereupon it will come across the fire, the wampum, the matter will continue on, and thirdly, he will say, ‘Thus it happens, and it is dreadful what will happen to one: repeatedly it may fail, one’s life, for repeatedly it gets clogged up, one’s throat, with grief; that is what happened to you, it got clogged, your throat, with grief.’
So the Three Brothers will say, Now we will remove the grief -caused obstruction from your throats, our uncles, you chiefs of the Four Brothers, and then you will rejoice again, then it will improve, your breathing; your bodies will get strong
again and also your mind. Thereupon you shall speak calmly. Thereupon we will thank one another. Moreover, in the time ahead, for at least one day, you shall think peacefully again.’ This, perhaps, is how they will do it, the Three Brothers.
Thereupon it will go back across the fire, the wampum. Thereupon he will say, ‘These are the number of words they speak – oihokua’ a few words – the Three Brothers, and now I have finished it.’ Thereupon Tekanawita’ said, “When all of them have found their way back to them, the wampum strings, to the Four Brothers, the bereaved ones, then the speaker will say, ‘ Now we have completed the task of reciting the Few Words, we have rubbed each other down. It is now done, the task of the invitation wampum which leads you towards the Council House where they will seat you and where everything will be completed that remains to us.
Thereupon the appointed ones, the warrior chiefs, these two will lead you there, and seat you where they had gone to prepare a seat for you. Thereupon the Great Hanging Tobacco warriors will cross over the fire, and the two will stand up in front where the other two are standing, the ones who will lead the procession, the singers for the Three Brothers. Thereupon the Four Brothers chiefs and the people will go back there towards the appointed place, and when they arrive back in the house, they will sit on one side, the Four Brothers will.
“Thereupon the appointed ones, the Great Hanging Tobacco warriors, then they will say, ‘Let us get started.’ Thereupon the one who followed the path(recited on the journey) will continue on from where he left off in his recitation when they got
back to the place where a fire was made for them near the thorny bushes: he will continue singing, and say ‘—‘ those name s of the chiefs that were not sung before are sung now in a complete way (if the road traveled happened to be short)
“When they arrive inside the house, the two leaders, the Great Hanging Tobacco warriors, they will go where seats are prepared, and there they will sit down, the Three Brothers chiefs, and there they will stand, the two who lead them by the arm;
then they will sit down, the chiefs, on one side of the house where all of them will be seated, all the People of the Three Nations, indeed, as they say, the Mohawk, the Seneca, and the Onondaga.” Thereupon Tekanawita’ said, “And this one, who is
following the path, walking on the road, now he will, he will repeat from the beginning the narration of the founding of the League and he will walk back and forth inside the Longhouse, naming the chiefs of the several nations, the groups of tribal colleagues and of the opposite tribal moieties, and of the Confederacy moieties on both sides of the fire, repeating it in its entirety, naming them all,
and ending at the place when the task of establishing the League was completed.
Thereupon he will move back and forth inside the house. Moreover, when he gets to the part where he says, ‘That used to be the number of you who collaborated’, thereupon the chief, now he will shout, saying, ‘yo-heeee’. Thereupon all of the
chiefs of that Confederacy moiety, now all of them will say, ‘iiii.yeee.’. Then those on the other side of the fire, the Four Brothers, when he gets to the part where he says, ‘this used to be the number of you, you who used to collaborate, the chiefs will shout, saying, ‘yo-heeee’ Thereupon all of the chiefs will say ‘iiii..yeeea’ and that is how it will be until he completes the enumeration of their
several nations. Thereupon he will sit down again.”
Thereupon Tekanawita’ said, ” I have decreed that a blanket will be strung up halfway between their two sides of the fire, where on one side of the fire sit the bereaved, the Four Brothers, and on the other side of the fire the Three Brothers, the condolers. Thereupon they will put all of the fourteen strands of the Condolence Wampum up on it. (Previously they only talked of thirteen strands, this is the first time they have mentioned all fourteen strands)
Thereupon Tekanawita’ said, “I decree that they will draft one man from the side of the condolers, the Three Brothers side, and then they will sing the Six Songs. Moreover, they will draft this one to raise up the song, and singing alone, he will
say:
(Kayanerehsra tes knohro hn e )’ ‘The Law, I come again to greet it,’
completing one song. Thereupon another man will repeat it from the beginning. Thereupon the chiefs, his Confederacy moiety brothers, all of them will sing and these, also, these will say
(Kayanerehsra tes khe nohro hn e )’The laws, I come again to greet them.’
And they will complete the song. Thereupon the song leader alone will sing again, saying this:
(Khe ya’t awe h tes khe nohro hn e) ‘My offspring, I come again to greet them.
And when he completes the song, thereupon the chiefs then all will sing the same song, saying,
(Khe ya’t awe h tes khe nohro hn e) ‘My offspring, I come again to greet them
And they will complete the song. Thereupon the song leader will sing by himself again, saying:
(yo ye kw ot o tes khe nohro hne) ‘Great Hanging Tobacco warriors, I come again to greet them.
And then the chiefs, all of them, will sing the same song, saying:
(yo ye kw ot o tes khe nohro hne) ‘Great Hanging Tobacco warriors, I come again to greet them.
Thereupon the song leader, alone, will say:
( Yak sa ha tes khe nohro hne) ‘My women, I come again to greet them.’
And he will finish the song. Thereupon the chiefs, all of them, will sing this same song saying:
( Yak sa ha tes khe nohro hne) ‘My women, I come again to greet them.’
And they will all finish the song song. Thereupon the song leader, now he again, will sing alone, saying,
(Ne ee Rhakstah’ha tes khe nohro hne) ‘They are our grandfathers, I come again to greet them.’
And he will complete the song. Thereupon the chiefs, all of them will sing the same one, saying:
(Ne ee Rhakstah’ha hoti rihw a’ ke) They are our grandfathers, their works
And they will complete the song.”
Thereupon Tekanawita’ said, “I decree that this is to be the principal one, when they are singing the other five songs to their completion. Thereafter one man, the chief they appointed on the side of the condolers, that one will walk back and forth
the full length of the house and that we will call Over the Forest. Moreover, when he begins it will get raised up, the curtain. (the blanket)
Haih, he is my grandfather, haih, you two should listen, when they seek it, they who are the grandchildren that which now has grown old, that which you established, the Great Law.
Haih, he is my grandfather, haih, truly, it may happen that one listens again.
Haih, he is my grandfather, haih now, at present, in some way, I may perform it improperly compared to the way he used to do it.
Haih, he is my grandfather, haih all matters you have taken back with you, into the ground where you are lying again, on your mat, the Great Law.
Haih, he is my grandfather, haih is it not this that you have said: ‘This will endure, they shall carry on with it, our grandchildren.’
Haih, he is my grandfather.
Then all the Lords repeat the song,
You keep listening to them,
You keep listening to them,
You keep listening to them,
You keep listening to them,
They are our grandfathers, you keep listening to them,
They are our grandfathers, you keep listening to them,
You keep listening to them,
You keep listening to them, yo’ee
Then all the Lords repeat the song
Thereupon it will get raised up again, the curtain”
Thereupon Tekanawita’ said, “I have decreed that then he will stand up again, the appointed one, and he will move around, chanting, ‘Over the Forest.’ Continuing on from where he ended, saying:
‘Haih, he is my grandfather, haih; was it not this that you all said? ‘This is what they will use to strengthen the League, what we have accomplished, our symbols, the antlers we conferred on the chiefs; and if, presently, we are caught yet unaware as we return, then this, in fact, will disappoint us again.’
Haih, he is my grandfather, haih was it not this that they said? ‘As to this, as soon as someone is shaking with fever, then we will take care of the antlers, on the inner wall they will place them; actually, it is prohibited, for them to lie scattered underground. Should someone take them back there, he wearing the antlers in death, if thus it happens, we perish. Henceforth it will be the Law for this to be used to strengthen the League: We will add other persons to them or perhaps one
will make a mistake and one will suffer the consequences when we extend their body
therewith near the wall where it will rest in the dark.’
Haih, he is my grandfather, haih; was it not this that they said? Moreover, what indeed, if it happens that in broad daylight, someone meddles just everywhere they come from – perhaps then one will see it, beside the wall where it rests in the
darkness, and perhaps, standing up again, one is extremely frightened, and then one will ask questions, saying, ‘What has happened here unexpectedly? The (?antlers) near the wall, resting in the darkness, this actually, one may not understand, and when one asks questions then one will find out, and at once it will twist it in circles, one’s mind. Moreover, this, again will harm us
Haih, he is my grandfather, haih; was it not this that they said? Moreover, thus it will happen, we will uproot a pine tree, it taking much of the earth with it, whereupon we will drop it down into the intensely swift current, which will carry it
away, and then we will replace the pine, so that never again should they see it, our grandchildren.’
Haih, he is my grandfather, haih; was it not this that they said? ‘What we have accomplished, this is what they will use to strengthen the League; thus we all have on symbols of status, we, wearing antlers. Moreover, this is ominous, if presently,
we are caught yet unaware as we return, just then we will become quiet again.’
Haih, he is my grandfather, haih this is what they said: Thus, moreover, is how we shall do it: We shall extend a pole, we shall hang a pouch there of spotted fawn skin. Thereupon we will drop a strand of wampum there the short strand, for the ones
who are bereaved, Moreover, the clear-minded ones, this, now, they will remove, and they will take it to the road, walking there, to the place where they are in mourning, and there at the edge of the ashes, there one will stand up, saying words
of sympathy to raise their spirits. At once they will begin to feel relieved, the bereaved, and they will resume the path of the Great Law.
Now moreover, you principal one of the League, you Tehena’kaine’, and his offspring, it is you two who are the principal chiefs of your nations, you Ho’tatshehte’; and he who is father’s kinsmen to the former, you are the two principals chiefs of your
nations, you and Thatotaho’; and he who is son to the preceding, you two are principal chiefs of your nations, you and Haka’eyuk: and he who is fathers kinsmen to the preceding, you two are the principal chiefs of your nations, you and Skanyataiyo’: and he who is of the opposite tribal moiety you two are the principals chiefs of your nation, you and Tsha’tekaehyes. Now this is what they have considered carefully: adding to the rafters again. Haih, he is my grandfather, haih, now they
are humbled, they are your grandchildren, haih, he is my grandfather, haih.
Thereupon he will sit down again, the speaker on the side of the clear-minded.
When he stands up, that one, resuming the Thirteen Matters, he will say: it happens
in this way, and it is dreadful that thus it should happen to them repeatedly there is a great twisting around within ones body, there being much bile in addition to the displacement of the organs within the body, and eventually it will fail one’s spirit and one’s strength. Thus, moreover, it has happened to you, you who are downstream from us, and just so it twists around in circles, your mind, and there is
a lot of bile, your organs being displaced within your body. Moreover, they have ordained, our ancestors, the principal remedy for this is what they call (?) Then, moreover, they will pick it up, the Three Brothers. Then, moreover, they will say,
Now we are pouring in the liquid, the (?). Moreover, when the liquid settles down, it will begin to work in your body; it will strengthen your mind, and it will wipe away the widespread jaundice and readjust the twisted organs within your body. Thereupon you will begin to be happy again, and it will come right again, your mind and your future life. Moreover, for at least one day you should keep thinking calmly, you who are downstream from me.’ That, perhaps, is how they will do it, the Three Brothers. Thereupon it will cross the fire, one strand of wampum.
Then again it repeatedly happens in this way, and it is dreadful that thus it should be happening to them, that, repeatedly, red marks are forming where oone has one’s space. Moreover, this has happened to you, red marks have formed at your space. Moreover the Three Brothers will say, ‘Now we are wiping off your red marks from where you have your space.’ Moreover they are using a handkerchief to wipe the red marks from your ceremonial seat. Moreover, now your space will be fine again, and only on certain days will they become divided again, our minds. Moreover, when you get back to where you have your antlers, it will be very peaceful once you take your ceremonial seat.
Thereupon you will think calmly in the future. Moreover, for at least one day you should be thinking calmly, you who are downstream from me.’ That, perhaps, is the way they will do it, the Three Brothers. Thereupon it will cross the fire, one strand of wampum, and the matter continues on.
Next another matter, ‘It happens, and it is dreadful that it will happen that way; thus, one may faint repeatedly, and one does not recognize things by daylight. That, moreover, is what happened to you, my uncle, you the chief, it has become dark for
you, and you can no longer see the light of day.’ So now the Three Brothers will say, ‘ Now we are wandering about your vicinity, your nephews and nieces, and you will see the earth and you will be happy from then on. Moreover, for at least one
day you should be thinking calmly.’ That, perhaps, is how they will do it, the Three Brothers. Then it will cross the fire, one strand of wampum, and the matter continues on.
Now, another matter, It happens and it is dreadful that it will happen to one in this way; thus, the sky disappears for one. Moreover, that is what is happening to you, my uncle, you the chief, the sky has become lost to you, and you don’t notice
the sky.’ So then the Three Brothers will say, ‘ Now we are clearing the sky for you. Moreover, you will see the sky. Thus when the sky is clear again, you can keep watching there. This, too: you will think calmly. Moreover, for at least one day you should continue to think calmly.’ This, perhaps, is how they will do it, the Three Brothers. Then it will cross the fire, one strand of wampum, and the matter continues on.
Then another matter. ‘It happens, and it is dreadful that it will happen to one in this way; thus, repeatedly, one loses track of the sun. That, Moreover is happening to you, my uncle, you the chief, you have lost track of the sun and you can’t
perceive the movement of the sun.’ So then the Three Brothers will say, ‘We are restoring the sun to you.’ Moreover, the next day when the sun rises, when it moves up over the forest, you will keep watching the sun move along. Moreover, when it is in the center of the sky, the sun, then it will shine all around you, and this, at the same time, will remind you – as it carries it here and there, your mind – you will remember your work for the people’s welfare, and then you will think
peacefully. Moreover, for at least one day you should continue to think peacefully.’ That, perhaps, is how they will do it, the Three Brothers. Then it will come over the fire, one strand of wampum, and the matter continues.
Then, again, there is another matter. ‘It happens, and it is dreadful that thus it happens to one. Thus, repeatedly it is there, one’s mind, something causing it to roll there, to the place where the grave is located. Moreover, this keeps happening
to you, my uncle, you the chief, it having rolled there, your mind, to the grave of the one you used to depend on, and there repose your minds, you of the Four Brothers. Moreover, now you will keep in mind that they are doing it properly, the
three Brothers, when they say, ‘Now we are stirring up the earth where the grave is,’ and they reach out and grab all kinds of vegetation, and throw it there, and just there they put up a piece of dressed lumber. Indeed, this is to accomplish two
things: on the one hand, great heat should not penetrate, and on the other hand, great rains should not penetrate, thus, peacefully, his bones will rest there, the one you used to depend on. Now you will think peacefully in future. Moreover, for at least one day peacefully you should be thinking.’ That, perhaps, is how they will do it, the Three Brothers. Then it will cross over the fire, the strand of wampum, and the matter continues on.
“Again, there is another matter: Every day it threatens us with a pole raised to the level of our heads, the Great Destroyer, who lurks in the darkness near the house, overpowering us with magic, scattering things about. Thus it is doing it, the Great Destroyer. Then the Three Brothers will say, ‘ We are restoring your land. Moreover, when they jumped away, we gathered up your bones, for this is what they decreed, our ancestors, that it will require the twenty matters. Indeed, when they pick it up, that is what we will use to tie up your bones, the twenty matters. Moreover, you will think peacefully in the future. Moreover, for at least one day you will continue to think peacefully.’ Thus, perhaps, is how they will do it, the Three
Brothers. Then it will cross the fire, one strand of wampum as the matter continues on.
“Again, another matter: Indeed, every day its pole is raised, it is exceedingly powerful, and transforms itself, the Great Destroyer, so that one cannot recognize its features; it teases us, the faceless one, the Great Destroyer, they call it. Moreover, it is ominous, for it points at the place of the Standing tree Trunks, that is, the chiefs, it will carry off those they rely on. Thus it has happened to you, the Four Brothers, it grabbed someone you depend upon, and now it has caused a vacant space. Moreover, this one is doing it, the Great Destroyer; this is what cavorted there, and from the fire container it caused the firebrands to scatter; so now this has disappointed you, and you are bowing your heads, for it is dreadful, that thus it has happened to you. Moreover, we, the Three Brothers sway, we are gathering together firebrands again for your fire container. Moreover, when we rekindle it, smoke will rise again, beautiful smoke will pierce the sky again, and one will see the number of fires we have rekindled in the vicinity. Moreover, now we are raising your spirits again, you chiefs. We have repositioned you in the ranks at the fires we rekindled for you.’ Then, moreover, they will say, ‘Now you two should
work again in behalf of the Great Law. Moreover, you will think peacefully in the future, and for at least one day you should continue thinking peacefully.’ That, perhaps, is how they will do it, the Three Brothers. Then it will cross the fire,
one strand of wampum, and the matter continues on.”
“Now there is another matter; this concerns your nieces and nephews, the women and the men. Indeed, he intends it, he who has created us, he has ordained, having so decided, that there shall be faithkeepers on earth he saying, “It shall be
established as I have decreed,” and this is how he has proceeded, the Creator. Moreover, he has given special importance to the women, decreeing that they will busy themselves around the fire, they being in charge of the foodstuffs. And this,
especially, he decreed that women will be the source of newly born persons, they being the one’s who will take care of raising the children. Moreover it is dreadful if death takes her from her lineage of related women, for it is just this that will create vacancy in ongoing relationship groups. This might have come to pass had things not happened as he had ordained. Moreover, when it dissolves, (she floating away) then they become saddened, our mothers minds. Moreover, there the people are
left standing around, the men who were formerly their partners, and who are now depressed in their minds. Moreover, now we, the Three Brothers, say, “Now we are raising their spirits again, those of the women and the men, so that now they may
think peacefully again and take in hand again whatever are their responsibilities, for from now on they will be thinking calmly again. Moreover for at least one day you should continue thinking calmly.” That, perhaps, is how they will do it, the Three Brothers. Then it will cross the fire, the one string of wampum, and the matter continues on.”
“Then, again, there is another matter: You, my uncle and your two nepotic relatives should continue to listen to one another for actually, it is a serious matter if it happens thus, that you leave your path from where it ought to lead you, you chief,. If this happens, she will look at you, your niece, for, actually, it is a fact that he has given her wisdom. This one, you will notice with surprise, standing in front of you, she will speak up, saying, “It is an amazing matter, my uncle, you who are chief, now you are straying from your path and you are not consulting with your colleagues; over there the people are left standing while you are alone, and now you are straying from your path; so I will ask you to return to your path, my uncle, you who are chief,” and that is how she will do it, she will warn you and it is a dreadful thing for you to disregard her warning.
And this man, your nephew, he will see you, you who are chief, willingly working toward the extinction of the people. Thereupon you will notice with surprise that he is standing there in front of you; then he will speak up, saying, “My uncle, you who are chief, it is an amazing thing that you are working towards the extinction of the entire group, for you are the one who is alone, you are not consulting them or working together with them for the Great Law. Moreover, I ask you to return to your path, for it is your responsibility towards your colleagues.” Thereupon he will turn back, for it is a dreadful thing if once he disregards the warning, for then it will be there, over the earth’s edge, that all of the people will come to hang their feet. As to that, no one is able to lift them up when it happens in this way, except just this one is able to lift them up, our Father, our Creator, the Ruler.
Moreover, when they see you – your two nepotic relatives – doing the same thing despite both of them having warned you to your face, you who are chief, then trying to cause you to return to your path, and you not having obeyed, thereupon they will summon the Great Warrior; they will all meet and you will notice them with surprise, standing up in front of you, he speaking up, the great Warrior, saying, “It is amazing, my uncle, you who are chief, indeed you have not accepted their warning which was spoken by both woman and man, indeed, you have not accepted it. I am removing your antlers and handing them back to her, the deaconess of the title name.
Moreover, you are free now, and cannot wear antlers again; now you are an ordinary person. Now, moreover, you can go away, wherever you wish to go. Thereupon the people, the number of your followers, now they will notice that you no longer are wearing your antlers, and then they will let go of you.” Moreover, the Three Brothers, they will say, “You two listen to each other, you and your nephew and niece.” Indeed, now, you should be thinking calmly in future days to come. Moreover,
for at least one day you should continue to think peacefully.” That, truly, is how they will do it, the Three Brothers, and then it will cross the fire, one string of wampum, and the matter continues on.
Then, again, another matter, this they will tell about the dreadful thing that is happening to you, my uncle, you who are chief; don’t let it cause you to lose control of your mind, for it is a dreadful thing if ti should happen that this will end your sanity. Actually, the earth is immune to majic, but of all the plants growing there, any one of these can kill one. Moreover, that is the reason that then
the Three Brothers will say, “We forbid it, don’t do it, for it will cause you to lose control of your minds, those of you who are still surviving among colleagues and those of your group who depend upon you.” So you shall think calmly from now on, and for at least one day you shall continue to think calmly. That truly is how they will do it, the Three Brothers.
“Then, again, there is another matter: Your torch has gone, and it is a dreadful matter that thus it has happened to you. Then, moreover, the Three Brothers will say, ” Now they should put their two poles together again, and there, on the poles,
they should replace the torch, and thus we are all of equal status. And so it will happen at some time that one will see that which causes our death; then we will take it down, the torch, and, without leaving any traces, one will run throughout the
territory of the League, reaching in a short time the Leagues borders, to inform the entire number of the Leagues fireplaces. Moreover, you will think peacefully from now on. Indeed, for at least one day you should continue to think peacefully, you
Four Brothers who are downstream from us.” That, truly, is how they will do it, the Three Brothers. Thereupon the last strand of wampum will cross the fire, the matter continuing, as you listen on, you Four Brothers, and then they are finished with
their speech, the Three Brothers.
“Then, moreover, they will tell you about what they have done, our ancestors, the Founders. This is what our ancestors have ordained: on either side of the fire there will be a chance that one of the Standing Tree Trunks, the chiefs will go down, and
their will be a vacant space where he used to have his seat, the one who is now dead. Indeed, they have said this is an opportunity to turn his face towards the chiefs and also the people, the one they will raise to replace this one, calling him
by the dead man’s title name. Moreover, this is what caused them to come, the Three Brother, that a seat has become vacant where he use to sit, the one they used to depend upon. Now as to that, it has gotten dissolved, his body, and been taken back. Moreover they will say, the Three Brothers, “Now, moreover, show us our new
colleague. Moreover, we shall keep him in mind that it has happened according to our custom. Moreover, it gets returned, our notification wampum and you will keep in mind that completes the number of our words.” Now, moreover, the Three Brothers have completed their speech.
Moreover, you will keep in mind that when they will pick up the cane again, starting to come back out of the Longhouse, to go to the edge of the forest, where they will crouch down again. Thereupon the Four Brothers speaker will stand up to say, ” My
father’s kinsmen, Indeed, be patient for a little while longer.” Thereupon the Three Brothers will sit down again. Thereupon it will get lowered again, the curtain, and the Four Brothers will place in front of them the thirteen strings of wampum, the
words of the Three Brothers. Thereupon the Four Brothers chiefs will appoint a song leader; this one will raise up a song, and they will sing the Six Songs.
Thereupon the song leader will sing by himself saying,
Singer: hai hai (nine times)
The Great Law, they come again to greet me (twice)
hai hai (four times)
hye’
Chiefs: same song
Singer: hai hai (nine times)
My father’s kinsmen, they come again to greet me
Hai hai (four times)
hye’
Chiefs: same song
The song leader will sing again, saying, Hanging Tobacco warriors they come to greet me
Singer: hai hai (nine times)
Hanging Tobacco warriors, they come again to
greet me (twice)
Hai hai (four times)
Hye’
Chiefs: same song
Singer: hai hai (eight times)
My women, they will come again to greet me
(twice)
Ai’ ai’ (four times)
Hye’
Chiefs: same song
Singer: ai’ ai’ (eight times)
Our Granparents, their works (twice)
Ai’ai’ (four times)
Hye’
Chiefs: same song
Keep listening to them,
Keep listening to them,
Keep listening to them,
Keep listening to them,
Our grandfathers, keep listening to them,
Our grandfathers, keep listening to them,
Keep listening to them,
Keep listening to them, hye’
Thereupon it will get f raised up again, the curtain. Thereupon the speaker will stand up, saying, “He has made this day, the Creator, the one who made daylight on earth, the one who has fashioned us humans, and as to that the number of us, who
will assemble, we and my father’s kin. So now you have finished your speech.”
“So now first they will answer, the Four Brothers, Moreover, this is what you will keep in mind, that we have accepted it, what you did in completing your words to us. Moreover, this is what they ordained, our ancestors who originated our custom that whichever side of the fire suffers the death of a chief, the clear-minded side shall go to the door of the bereaved. This, moreover, is the path you are following, my father’s kinsmen. Moreover, the matter is not one sided, for it happens to both our
moieties. Moreover, every day someone falls who is near to you, and they keep dying, your nephews and nieces and also your grandchildren. So then it continuously twists around, your mind. Therefore they pour medicine which settles down there and cures your entire body, and then you will think calmly in future, moreover, for at least one day you will continue to think calmly. That, truly, is how they will do it, the Four Brothers
Then the Four Brothers repeat the thirteen strings exactly as given by the Three Brothers
“Thereupon the Four Brothers speaker says, ‘Now your words are completed, my father’s kinsmen. You have not, indeed, acted thus, so that there is an opportunity, here among the people, for them to show his face? From among the people, they will
raise him up in front of the chiefs, who will call him by the title-name of the dead chief when they stand up the other one. Moreover, my paternal kinsmen, you will be aware that it will happen in the way you specified when you said, “Now show us our
new colleague!” So now, be prepared, this is the real thing, now you will see him; now we will show you your new colleague.”
“Thereupon they will call him, the appointed one, and they will stand him up there in front of them, and the speaker will say, Now you two, look this way; in front of you is the one they have appointed – they and the deaconess of the titles of their
clan – where a seat has become vacant, where the former chief sat. Moreover, as to
this one standing in front of you, they crowned him with the antlers, and he is the
one they will rename with the title of the deceased chief.’
Thereupon the speaker will say, Moreover, now their words will cross the fire, and they are unanimous, the deaconess of the title name, the tribal moiety colleagues, the cousins in the opposite tribal moiety, all have approved, as well as the Confederacy moiety colleagues, all have approved unanimously, the nations comprising
the Four Brothers.
“Moreover, now it will pass across the fire, it is on its way, their word, notifying you, my father’s kinsmen, you Three Brothers. Moreover, she is his guardian whom they placed at his back, and they were unanimous about this, all the deaconesses and
matrons of the title name, its joint owners, that this is one who will stand side by side at the head of their family’s clan when he stands up to become chief. Thereupon he will name her (Head Female of the Deceased’s family).
“Thereupon it crosses the fire, the wampum. Thereupon the Three Brothers will pass it around the group, the wampum, and all of the chiefs will take hold of it, the entire group of them.
“Thereupon the speaker of the Three Brothers will stand up, saying, Now, indeed, the matter is fulfilled: We are looking at the one to whom you have newly given antlers, the chief, and the one who is guarding him, the matron of the title, and both we accept as we were notified by your word. Now, moreover, the Three Brothers confirm you, whom they have raised up. Moreover, now listen well, you whom they newly conferred antlers upon, you chief.
“First the Three Brothers will say, ‘They thickened your skin which is now seven inches thick, which means that your mind will be strong and it will not let it pass through, a pointed object meant to puncture you when you work for the Good Message,
the Power, the Peace, and the Great Law. Indeed, actually now you are the one who protects your family and the various nations.’ Moreover, they will say, ‘You shall be a good person, and, especially, you shall be kind to all of the people, not differentiating among them, the people who are wealthy, and the poor ones, and the good natured ones, and the evil ones who sin readily; all of them you shall treat kindly, and you shall not differentiate among them. And as to your own fireside, never consider only yourself, you must always remember them, the old people, and the
younger people, and the children, and those still in the earth, yet unborn, and always you will take into account everyone’s well being, that of the ongoing families, so that they may continue to survive, your grandchildren. That is the number of words.
“Moreover, the one that guards you, the chief, that one you shall continue to obey. And as to you, you also must never spoil the affairs of the Great One of your family.
” ‘Moreover, you chiefs, be of one mind with the new one who has stood up, cooperating in your work of the Great Law.’ Moreover, that is the number of words; now they have finished their message, the Three Brothers.”
This work was from an oral translation of John Arthur Gibson an Onondaga Chief who lived when the stories were told always. Thanks to my brother Tehonikonrathe for transcribing this most important part of our history.
This is Part 1
This is what happened when it originated, the Great Law. This is what happened in ancient times: There was warfare, and they habitually killed each other, the Indians of the several nations. This is what was going on: They scalped one another at the various settlements, that is, the warriors were roaming about across the bush, scalping the inhabitants. Moreover, this was happening where the Mohawks resided, at the lake shore on the northerly side of the lake, Lake Ontario, which is where a mother lived with her daughter.
The old woman was called Kaheto?ktha? (End of the Field) her daughter, as to her she was named Kah,etehsu,k (She Walks Ahead). These two left the place where they lived going far away into the bush, where they set up camp and lit a fire, at a place where no one travels; a place where the river forks, called (?); they lived there for a long time, and for several years never did any man come to visit them.
Just about then it started: She noticed, the old woman, that it was evident her daughter was going to have a child. Then the old woman was surprised at how it could be possible that her daughter was going to have a child; she was surprised at where in fact she might have gotten it, since she had never seen a man. Thereupon she questioned her daughter, saying ?Who then, is the father of the child you are going to have?? Then Kah,etehsu,k said, ?Mother I do not know what happened nor how it is,? but the old woman did not believe what she said, her daughter. Thereupon the old woman began to get angry, and said, ?Probably it is not true what she said, Kah,etehsu,k. This is how it was, every day and every night the old woman got angry, it seems, she was questioning her daughter, saying, ?Now I will question you. Moreover you will tell the truth, the real truth and nothing else, only this very true matter, that is, who is the father of the child you are going to have? Now you shall tell the truth.? Thereupon Kah,etehsu,k said, ?Mother, I will tell you that actually I do not know.?
Thereafter Kaheto?ktha? became depressed and she got angry saying, ?It is not true what she said, Kah,etehsu,k.? Thereafter the old woman, getting angry, said, ?Surely you must know who is the father of the child you are going to have.? Then her daughter became unhappy and cried , and that is the way it was for quite some time: Both the old woman and her daughter were unhappy.
This, then, is what happened when it was night and they were asleep: The old woman dreamed and she saw a man arrive where they had their house, and he said, ?I have a message along which I shall tell you: you should stop the kinds of thoughts you are having. Indeed, your thinking is that probably it is not true what she says, your daughter. This, indeed, is the reason why it is not wholesome, your preoccupation with her confinement and her saying, ?Indeed I don?t know where it came from nor how it is.? Now I will tell you what happened to your daughters life, for it is true that she does not know what happened.
This is the reason why you should now stop; don?t cause your daughter to worry. Moreover, you should ease her mind by apologizing to her. Actually a great thing has happened, for he is appointing your daughter to be the instrument of a male child?s birth. He is sending him, the one you all believe is the Ruler, and he is coming from the sky above the earth; and he will be born of Kah,etehsu,k herself. Moreover, when he is born, the boy, I will give him a name; you will say, Tekanawita?. And when you see him the two of you will be kind to him, and don?t bother him when, in the course of time, he becomes a man. In fact, he is going to be working here beneath and on the other side of the sun. Moreover, once he is born, Tekanawita?, he will grow rapidly, and it will not be long before you two will see many unusual things: He will reveal his powers, and all of the people will acknowledge them when they see Tekanawita?.
Actually, he will travel to different villages all over the bush; to small settlements of families, and there he is going to work to stop what is going on, and, indeed, what is going on is that they are killing one another, specifically they are scalping one another; in fact, they are shedding each other?s blood, people of their own kind living here on earth.
That is why he decided it, the Maker, as you say, the Ruler, who has created the world and the sun which gives light all over the earth and the islands; also the moon which gives light at night; also the rivers which keep flowing; also the lakes and the great bodies of water; and he also planted the many kinds of vegetation; also the shrubs and the forests and there, moreover he created them; that is, their shedding each others blood, just pools and flowing streams of peoples blood. This is why Haweniyo? decided to send Tekanawita? here, and his mission will be to end their killing one anther.?
As to the old woman Kaheto?ktha and her daughter Kah,etehsu,k, now another day has dawned for them. Then the old woman said, ?My daughter, I understand now that it is true, indeed, you don?t know where you got the child you are about to have, for a man I saw when I dreamed last night, told me everything, everything about where it comes from, the child you are about to have. And indeed this: It is you, especially, whom he chose and it is there from your person that Tekanawita? will be born.
This, then, is how it was and in a short time a boy was born. Thereupon the old woman said, Now, indeed, Tekanawita had arrived.? ?And it was evident that he was very healthy. Everyday he grew, and In a short while he began to walk around, and when, quite soon, he started to talk, this is what he began to speak about: It is not good for people to be unkind to one another. Every day it was evident that he was growing rapidly. Eventually it came abut that the old woman said, ?This is what I think, it is time to go to the village of our relatives.? Thereupon Kah,etehsu,k said to her son, ?My son, what will you say to your grandmother, who wants us to go to the village now?? Thereupon Tekanawita said, ?That is what I want, to see people of our own kind.? Thereupon the old woman said, ? In three days? time we will depart.? Then Tekanawita said, ? This is what will happen when I see our people: we shall converse, and I will tell them that they are now arriving, the Power and the Good Message and Peace.?
Thereupon they went home, returning to where the women had come from. When they got back to the village, one of them sent a message notifying the leading chief of the village. When he was notified, the leader, then he circulated the news and everybody gathered. Then the chief spoke, thanking them and greeting the old woman and also her daughter and also their child, and when he had completed his welcome he said, ?Now then, we will listen well to the message you two have brought along.?
Thereupon Kaheto?ktha?(?) said, ?The truth is that it is of great importance, the message we all are bringing along. This is a matter of fact, is it: For many winters we have been gone, I and my daughter, Kah,etehsu,k, and the reason we went from here was that, indeed it was too dangerous because of their killing one another. So I began to think, ?It might be possible for me and my daughter to survive somewhere by kindling a fire at a place where no one roams about.? At the place where the river forks we erected our shelter. There, moreover, an important event occurred concerning my daughter, Kah,etehsu,k , for when she had grown up, it was not long before it came to be evident that she was going to have a child. I had not seen any man, and this was the reason that I questioned her, saying, ?Who is the father of the child you are going to have?? Then she spoke saying, ?I do not know what happened.? Thereupon I, an old person, became angry, and my mind was troubled, and I was disappointed, thinking, ?It is not true what my daughter is telling me about how, then, it is happened.? This, then, is what happened: When night approached us, I dreamt I saw a man entering the place where we have our shelter. This is what he said. ? I have come to tell you to stop it, that is , indeed, your anger, your uneasiness, your disappointment at what it is like, your daughters life, in fact that she is going to have a child; it is true that she does not know where it came from and what it is that happened. This is what I came to tell you: You should repent, more specifically, you should apologize to your daughter. Actually what is happening is that a great event is taking place in that Tehaehyawa?ki, as you call the Ruler, chose your daughter Kah,etehsu,k. it is there, of her body, that he will be born, the one he sent, the one you will all see here on earth. Moreover, when he is born, you will call him Tekanawita? and he is going to work beneath the sun where the earth is located, and it will stop, the persistent matter of their slaughtering one another, their own people.? So therefore you are now seeing this one, our child, Tekanawita?, and this is the reason we came back home: we thought that you ought to hear the wonderful and important message, the message that came to us. In relation to that, you will all now see Tekanawita?.?
Thereupon the chief stood up saying, ?Truly, all of us together have heard it, every one living here. This, certainly, is true: An amazing event has taken place. It is a long time that mother and daughter have been gone, Kaheto?ktha?, that is, and her daughter, Kah,etehsu,k. Moreover, today, they have returned home; they have come back with our child. Indeed, we have been notified about how everything came about: It is from the sky that he came with his mission, an important one, for he came to work for peace to come about among the people living here on earth and for it to let up, the mutual slaughter, for it to and among us who dwell here. Now this is what will happen: We will greet them, shaking hands with Kaheto?ktha and Kah,etehsu,k and also their son, Tekanawita? — welcoming him back —which means we will thank him for visiting us and for seeking out our village first, so that we can hear the message with which he will travel to other places and different groups of people.
Now then we who live here are gathered with the one who has great power, Tekanawita?, and shortly, after he has grown to manhood here on earth, we will observe his work. So I beseech all of you to be kind to Tekanawita?. Now therefore you will stand up, now all of us living here will stand up , and furthermore we will be the first to welcome him, the children, shaking hands with Tekanawita? and also with his mother and also with his grandmother. There the whole group of old people and young people, now we will all welcome him by shaking hands with Tekanawita? and also with his mother and his grandmother.? Thereupon they all stood up, and as to Tekanawita?, all of the children welcomed him, shaking his hand and greeting him. The whole crowd came to welcome him, shaking his hand and greeting him. Thereupon their chief said, ?Now we have completed the matter,? and then they dispersed, the crowd.
Thereupon, as to Tekanawita?, this is what happened: When the children began walking around and more especially, when they played, some of the children repeatedly quarreled, and they wanted to fight. Thereupon Tekanawita? prevented them, saying, ?You will stop it because it is sinful for people to hurt one another; you especially, for you are all relatives, and so it is necessary for you to be kind to one another, as well as to other people, those you know, and those people you do not know; and you should respect them equally — all of the people ? you should be kind to everyone.?
Thereupon the children were amazed at what Tekanawita? was saying. When they got back to where they had their homes, they repeated what he had said, Tekanawita?. Thereupon the elders said, ?Now, indeed, they are beginning, the surprising events we heard about that he foretold,
Tekanawita?, for, never, in fact, has it been the case that we might hear someone say, ?It is sinful for people to hurt one another,? nor has anyone ever said, ?You should all respect one another,? nor has anyone said, ?you should be kind to the people you know as well as those you don?t know.? Now, indeed, it is coming true, the kind of thing we have heard about. As to the children, the ones with Tekanawita?, when he gathered them together, he spoke to the children, saying, ?Now you will listen well: Now it is arriving, the Good Message, also the Power and the Peace. Moreover, now it will stop, the way in which matters are proceeding here on earth beneath the sky, such that they cause pools and streams of human blood to flow. Moreover, when it stops, and when all the people are kind to one another, then all are relatives, they becoming brothers, the men, and all the women becoming sisters in future days to come, so that families will continue on.? Thereupon the children were surprised at what they heard him say, Tekanawita?.
Thereupon the children went home and when they arrived at their destination, they repeated the things he had spoken about, Tekanawita?. When the old people were informed, they said, ?Now, indeed, we hear them with amazement, these kinds of words. This we have never heard about, that someone might say, ?Good Message?, nor for someone to say ?Power?, nor for someone to say, ?Peace?, nor for someone to say, ?they are relatives, all of the people?, nor for someone to say, ? the men, all of them are brothers?, nor for someone to say, ?the women, they are all sisters?, also ?the children, they are all siblings?, nor for someone to say, ?pools and flowing streams of human blood will now cease to exist; from now on there will be peace and in the future days to come families will be ongoing?. Also there was great amazement at the kinds of words he used to speak in front of the children.
After the elders called a meeting, they invited Tekanawita?, and he joined in at the meeting when the elders decided to question Tekanawita?, saying, ?What should we do so that we might know what it means, Good Message, and also Power, and also Peace.? Thereupon Tekanawita said, ?Indeed, so be it, you shall hear about what you must do. As to that, first, as to the mothers, that is to say, the women, these will bake bread, corn bread, which they will collect. Thereupon as to you, you people, you will collect the flesh of game animals. These, then, will supply provisions of bread and meat. Then they should assemble, everyone, at the place provided; the inhabitants, all of them, will gather in the same place, and everyone will hear me tell about the matter you wish to know about.?
The older women spread the news, and everyone at the village was notified of the specific day they had chosen for them to assemble. Thereupon the inhabitants collected the corn bread and also the meat of game animals, and then they assembled. Then he joined them, Tekanawita?, who by now was a young man.
Then the older people said, ?Now then, we will ask questions about what it means for you to say ?Now it is arriving, the Good Message and this, specifically, Power and this, specifically, Peace,? so that now they will hear it, the entire crowd, when you explain what you mean.?
Thereupon Tekanawita? stood up in the center of the gathering place, and then he said, ? First I will answer what it means to say ? now it is arriving, the Good Message.? This indeed, is what it means: When it stops, the slaughter of your own people who live here on earth, then everywhere peace will come about, by day and also by night, and it will come about that as one travels around, everyone will be related. Then, indeed, (?) in future days to come.
Now again (?), secondly, I say ?now it is arriving, the Power,? and this means that the different nations, all the nations, will become just a single one, and the Great Law will come into being, so that now all will be related to each other, and there will come to be just a single family, and in the future, in days to come, this family will continue on.
Now in turn, the other, my third saying, ?now it is arriving, the Peace?, this means that everyone will become related, men and also women, and also the young people and the children, and when all are relatives, every nation, there will be peace as they roam about by day and also by night. Now, also, it will become possible for them to assemble in meetings. Then there will be truthfulness, and they will uphold hope and charity, so that it is peace that will unite all the people, indeed, it will be as though they have but one mind, and they are a single person with only one body and one head and one life, which means that there will be unity.
Laws of Adoption
66. The father of a child of great comeliness, learning, ability or specially loved because of some circumstance may, at the will of the child’s clan, select a name from his own (the father’s) clan and bestow it by ceremony, such as is provided. This naming shall be only temporary and shall be called, “A name hung about the neck.”67. Should any person, a member of the Five Nations’ Confederacy, specially esteem a man or woman of another clan or of a foreign nation, he may choose a name and bestow it upon that person so esteemed. The naming shall be in accord with the ceremony of bestowing names. Such a name is only a temporary one and shall be called “A name hung about the neck.” A short string of shells shall be delivered with the name as a record and a pledge.
68. Should any member of the Five Nations, a family or person belonging to a foreign nation submit a proposal for adoption into a clan of one of the Five Nations, he or they shall furnish a string of shells, a span in length, as a pledge to the clan into which he or they wish to be adopted. The Lords of the nation shall then consider the proposal and submit a decision.
69. Any member of the Five Nations who through esteem or other feeling wishes to adopt an individual, a family or number of families may offer adoption to him or them and if accepted the matter shall be brought to the attention of the Lords for confirmation and the Lords must confirm adoption.
70. When the adoption of anyone shall have been confirmed by the Lords of the Nation, the Lords shall address the people of their nation and say: “Now you of our nation, be informed that such a person, such a family or such families have ceased forever to bear their birth nation’s name and have buried it in the depths of the earth. Henceforth let no one of our nation ever mention the original name or nation of their birth. To do so will be to hasten the end of our peace.”
 Laws of Emigration
71. When any person or family belonging to the Five Nations desires to abandon their birth nation and the territory of the Five Nations, they shall inform the Lords of their nation and the Confederate Council of the Five Nations shall take cognizance of it.
72. When any person or any of the people of the Five Nations emigrate and reside in a region distant from the territory of the Five Nations Confederacy, the Lords of the Five Nations at will may send a messenger carrying a broad belt of black shells and when the messenger arrives he shall call the people together or address them personally displaying the belt of shells and they shall know that this is an order for them to return to their original homes and to their council fires.
Rights of Foreign Nations
73. The soil of the earth from one end of the land to the other is the property of the people who inhabit it. By birthright the Ongwehonweh (Original beings) are the owners of the soil which they own and occupy and none other may hold it. The same law has been held from the oldest times.
The Great Creator has made us of the one blood and of the same soil he made us and as only different tongues constitute different nations he established different hunting grounds and territories and made boundary lines between them.
74. When any alien nation or individual is admitted into the Five Nations the admission shall be understood only to be a temporary one. Should the person or nation create loss, do wrong or cause suffering of any kind to endanger the peace of the Confederacy, the Confederate Lords shall order one of their war chiefs to reprimand him or them and if a similar offence is again committed the offending party or parties shall be expelled from the territory of the Five United Nations.
75. When a member of an alien nation comes to the territory of the Five Nations and seeks refuge and permanent residence, the Lords of the Nation to which he comes shall extend hospitality and make him a member of the nation. Then shall he be accorded equal rights and privileges in all matters except as after mentioned.
76. No body of alien people who have been adopted temporarily shall have a vote in the council of the Lords of the Confederacy, for only they who have been invested with Lordship titles may vote in the Council. Aliens have nothing by blood to make claim to a vote and should they have it, not knowing all the traditions of the Confederacy, might go against its Great Peace. In this manner the Great Peace would be endangered and perhaps be destroyed.
77. When the Lords of the Confederacy decide to admit a foreign nation and an adoption is made, the Lords shall inform the adopted nation that its admission is only temporary. They shall also say to the nation that it must never try to control, to interfere with or to injure the Five Nations nor disregard the Great Peace or any of its rules or customs. That in no way should they cause disturbance or injury. Then should the adopted nation disregard these injunctions, their adoption shall be annulled and they shall be expelled.
The expulsion shall be in the following manner: The council shall appoint one of their War Chiefs to convey the message of annulment and he shall say, “You (naming the nation) listen to me while I speak. I am here to inform you again of the will of the Five Nations’ Council. It was clearly made known to you at a former time. Now the Lords of the Five Nations have decided to expel you and cast you out. We disown you now and annul your adoption. Therefore you must look for a path in which to go and lead away all your people. It was you, not we, who committed wrong and caused this sentence of annulment. So then go your way and depart from the territory of the Five Nations and from the Confederacy.”
78. Whenever a foreign nation enters the Confederacy or accepts the Great Peace, the Five Nations and the foreign nation shall enter into an agreement and compact by which the foreign nation shall endeavor to persuade other nations to accept the Great Peace.
Rights and Powers of War 79. Skanawatih shall be vested with a double office, duty and with double authority. One-half of his being shall hold the Lordship title and the other half shall hold the title of War Chief. In the event of war he shall notify the five War Chiefs of the Confederacy and command them to prepare for war and have their men ready at the appointed time and place for engagement with the enemy of the Great Peace.
80. When the Confederate Council of the Five Nations has for its object the establishment of the Great Peace among the people of an outside nation and that nation refuses to accept the Great Peace, then by such refusal they bring a declaration of war upon themselves from the Five Nations. Then shall the Five Nations seek to establish the Great Peace by a conquest of the rebellious nation.
Rights and Powers of War
79. Skanawatih shall be vested with a double office, duty and with double authority. One-half of his being shall hold the Lordship title and the other half shall hold the title of War Chief. In the event of war he shall notify the five War Chiefs of the Confederacy and command them to prepare for war and have their men ready at the appointed time and place for engagement with the enemy of the Great Peace.
80. When the Confederate Council of the Five Nations has for its object the establishment of the Great Peace among the people of an outside nation and that nation refuses to accept the Great Peace, then by such refusal they bring a declaration of war upon themselves from the Five Nations. Then shall the Five Nations seek to establish the Great Peace by a conquest of the rebellious nation.
Now I am greatly surprised
And, therefore I shall use it —
The power of my War Song.
I am of the Five Nations
And I shall make supplication
To the Almighty Creator.
He has furnished this army.
My warriors shall be mighty
In the strength of the Creator.
Between him and my song they are
For it was he who gave the song
This war song that I sing!
82. When the warriors of the Five Nations are on an expedition against an enemy, the War Chief shall sing the War Song as he approaches the country of the enemy and not cease until his scouts have reported that the army is near the enemies’ lines when the War Chief shall approach with great caution and prepare for the attack.
83. When peace shall have been established by the termination of the war against a foreign nation, then the War Chief shall cause all the weapons of war to be taken from the nation. Then shall the Great Peace be established and that nation shall observe all the rules of the Great Peace for all time to come.
84. Whenever a foreign nation is conquered or has by their own will accepted the Great Peace their own system of internal government may continue, but they must cease all warfare against other nations.
85. Whenever a war against a foreign nation is pushed until that nation is about exterminated because of its refusal to accept the Great Peace and if that nation shall by its obstinacy become exterminated, all their rights, property and territory shall become the property of the Five Nations.
86. Whenever a foreign nation is conquered and the survivors are brought into the territory of the Five Nations’ Confederacy and placed under the Great Peace the two shall be known as the Conqueror and the Conquered. A symbolic relationship shall be devised and be placed in some symbolic position. The conquered nation shall have no voice in the councils of the Confederacy in the body of the Lords.
87. When the War of the Five Nations on a foreign rebellious nation is ended, peace shall be restored to that nation by a withdrawal of all their weapons of war by the War Chief of the Five Nations. When all the terms of peace shall have been agreed upon a state of friendship shall be established.
88. When the proposition to establish the Great Peace is made to a foreign nation it shall be done in mutual council. The foreign nation is to be persuaded by reason and urged to come into the Great Peace. If the Five Nations fail to obtain the consent of the nation at the first council, a second council shall be held and upon a second failure a third council shall be held, and this third council shall end the peaceful methods of persuasion. At the third council the War Chief of the Five nations shall address the Chief of the foreign nation and request him three times to accept the Great Peace. If refusal steadfastly follows the War Chief shall let the bunch of white lake shells drop from his outstretched hand to the ground and shall bound quickly forward and club the offending chief to death. War shall thereby be declared and the War Chief shall have his warriors at his back to meet any emergency. War must continue until the contest is won by the Five Nations.
89. When the Lords of the Five Nations propose to meet in conference with a foreign nation with proposals for an acceptance of the Great Peace, a large band of warriors shall conceal themselves in a secure place safe from the espionage of the foreign nation but as near at hand as possible. Two warriors shall accompany the Union Lord who carries the proposals and these warriors shall be especially cunning. Should the Lord be attacked, these warriors shall hasten back to the army of warriors with the news of the calamity which fell through the treachery of the foreign nation.
90. When the Five Nations’ Council declares war any Lord of the Confederacy may enlist with the warriors by temporarily renouncing his sacred Lordship title which he holds through the election of his women relatives. The title then reverts to them and they may bestow it upon another temporarily until the war is over when the Lord, if living, may resume his title and seat in the Council.
91. A certain wampum belt of black beads shall be the emblem of the authority of the Five War Chiefs to take up the weapons of war and with their men to resist invasion. This shall be called a war in defense of the territory.
Treason or Secession of a Nation
92. If a nation, part of a nation, or more than one nation within the Five Nations should in any way endeavor to destroy the Great Peace by neglect or violating its laws and resolve to dissolve the Confederacy, such a nation or such nations shall be deemed guilty of treason and called enemies of the Confederacy and the Great Peace.
It shall then be the duty of the Lords of the Confederacy who remain faithful to resolve to warn the offending people. They shall be warned once and if a second warning is necessary they shall be driven from the territory of the Confederacy by the War Chiefs and his men.
Rights of the People of the Five Nations
93. Whenever a specially important matter or a great emergency is presented before the Confederate Council and the nature of the matter affects the entire body of the Five Nations, threatening their utter ruin, then the Lords of the Confederacy must submit the matter to the decision of their people and the decision of the people shall affect the decision of the Confederate Council. This decision shall be a confirmation of the voice of the people.
94. The men of every clan of the Five Nations shall have a Council Fire ever burning in readiness for a council of the clan. When it seems necessary for a council to be held to discuss the welfare of the clans, then the men may gather about the fire. This council shall have the same rights as the council of the women.
95. The women of every clan of the Five Nations shall have a Council Fire ever burning in readiness for a council of the clan. When in their opinion it seems necessary for the interest of the people they shall hold a council and their decisions and recommendations shall be introduced before the Council of the Lords by the War Chief for its consideration.
96. All the Clan council fires of a nation or of the Five Nations may unite into one general council fire, or delegates from all the council fires may be appointed to unite in a general council for discussing the interests of the people. The people shall have the right to make appointments and to delegate their power to others of their number. When their council shall have come to a conclusion on any matter, their decision shall be reported to the Council of the Nation or to the Confederate Council (as the case may require) by the War Chief or the War Chiefs.
97. Before the real people united their nations, each nation had its council fires. Before the Great Peace their councils were held. The five Council Fires shall continue to burn as before and they are not quenched. The Lords of each nation in future shall settle their nation’s affairs at this council fire governed always by the laws and rules of the council of the Confederacy and by the Great Peace.
98. If either a nephew or a niece see an irregularity in the performance of the functions of the Great Peace and its laws, in the Confederate Council or in the conferring of Lordship titles in an improper way, through their War Chief they may demand that such actions become subject to correction and that the matter conform to the ways prescribed by the laws of the Great Peace.
Religious Ceremonies Protected
99. The rites and festivals of each nation shall remain undisturbed and shall continue as before because they were given by the people of old times as useful and necessary for the good of men.
100. It shall be the duty of the Lords of each brotherhood to confer at the approach of the time of the Midwinter Thanksgiving and to notify their people of the approaching festival. They shall hold a council over the matter and arrange its details and begin the Thanksgiving five days after the moon of Dis-ko-nah is new. The people shall assemble at the appointed place and the nephews shall notify the people of the time and place. From the beginning to the end the Lords shall preside over the Thanksgiving and address the people from time to time.
101. It shall be the duty of the appointed managers of the Thanksgiving festivals to do all that is needed for carrying out the duties of the occasions.
The recognized festivals of Thanksgiving shall be the Midwinter Thanksgiving, the Maple or Sugar-making Thanksgiving, the Raspberry Thanksgiving, the Strawberry Thanksgiving, the Corn-planting Thanksgiving, the Corn Hoeing Thanksgiving, the Little Festival of Green Corn, the Great Festival of Ripe Corn and the complete Thanksgiving for the Harvest.
Each nation’s festivals shall be held in their Long Houses.
102. When the Thanksgiving for the Green Corn comes the special managers, both the men and women, shall give it careful attention and do their duties properly.
103. When the Ripe Corn Thanksgiving is celebrated the Lords of the Nation must give it the same attention as they give to the Midwinter Thanksgiving.
104. Whenever any man proves himself by his good life and his knowledge of good things, naturally fitted as a teacher of good things, he shall be recognized by the Lords as a teacher of peace and religion and the people shall hear him.
The Installation Song
105. The song used in installing the new Lord of the Confederacy shall be sung by Adodarhoh and it shall be:
106. Whenever a person properly entitled desires to learn the Pacification Song he is privileged to do so but he must prepare a feast at which his teachers may sit with him and sing. The feast is provided that no misfortune may befall them for singing the song on an occasion when no chief is installed.
Protection of the House
107. A certain sign shall be known to all the people of the Five Nations which shall denote that the owner or occupant of a house is absent. A stick or pole in a slanting or leaning position shall indicate this and be the sign. Every person not entitled to enter the house by right of living within it upon seeing such a sign shall not approach the house either by day or by night but shall keep as far away as his business will permit.
Funeral Addresses
108. At the funeral of a Lord of the Confederacy, say:
“Now we become reconciled as you start away. You were once a Lord of the Five Nations’ Confederacy and the United People trusted you. Now we release you for it is true that it is no longer possible for us to walk about together on the earth. Now, therefore, we lay it (the body) here. Here we lay it away. Now then we say to you, ‘Persevere onward to the place where the Creator dwells in peace. Let not the things of the earth hinder you. Let nothing that transpired while yet you lived hinder you. In hunting you once took delight; in the game of Lacrosse you once took delight and in the feasts and pleasant occasions your mind was amused, but now do not allow thoughts of these things to give you trouble. Let not your relatives hinder you and also let not your friends and associates trouble your mind. Regard none of these things.”
“Now then, in turn, you here present who were related to this man and you who were his friends and associates, behold the path that is yours also! Soon we ourselves will be left in that place. For this reason hold yourselves in restraint as you go from place to place. In your actions and in your conversation do no idle thing. Speak not idle talk neither gossip. Be careful of this and speak not and do not give way to evil behavior. One year is the time that you must abstain from unseemly levity but if you can not do this for ceremony, ten days is the time to regard these things for respect.”
109. At the funeral of a War Chief, say:
“Now we become reconciled as you start away. You were once a War Chief of the Five Nations’ Confederacy and the United People trusted you as their guard from the enemy.” (The remainder is the same as the address at the funeral of a Lord).
110. At the funeral of a Warrior, say:
“Now we become reconciled as you start away. Once you were a devoted provider and protector of your family and you were ever ready to take part in battles for the Five Nations’ Confederacy. The United People trusted you.” (The remainder is the same as the address at the funeral of a Lord).
111. At the funeral of a young man, say:
“Now we become reconciled as you start away. In the beginning of your career you are taken away and the flower of your life is withered away.” (The remainder is the same as the address at the funeral of a Lord).
112. At the funeral of a chief woman, say:
“Now we become reconciled as you start away. You were once a chief woman in the Five Nations’ Confederacy. You once were a mother of the nations. Now we release you for it is true that it is no longer possible for us to walk about together on the earth. Now, therefore, we lay it (the body) here. Here we lay it away. Now then we say to you, ‘Persevere onward to the place where the Creator dwells in peace. Let not the things of the earth hinder you. Let nothing that transpired while you lived hinder you. Looking after your family was a sacred duty and you were faithful. You were one of the many joint heirs of the Lordship titles. Feastings were yours and you had pleasant occasions. . .” (The remainder is the same as the address at the funeral of a Lord).
113. At the funeral of a woman of the people, say:
“Now we become reconciled as you start away. You were once a woman in the flower of life and the bloom is now withered away. You once held a sacred position as a mother of the nation. (Etc.) Looking after your family was a sacred duty and you were faithful. Feastings . . . (etc.)” (The remainder is the same as the address at the funeral of a Lord).
114. At the funeral of an infant or young woman, say:
“Now we become reconciled as you start away. You were a tender bud and gladdened our hearts for only a few days. Now the bloom has withered away . . . (etc.)(6) Let none of the things that transpired on earth hinder you. Let nothing that happened while you lived hinder you.” (The remainder is the same as the address at the funeral of a Lord).
115. When an infant dies within three days, mourning shall continue only five days. Then shall you gather the little boys and girls at the house of mourning and at the funeral feast a speaker shall address the children and bid them be happy once more, though by a death, gloom has been cast over them. Then shall the black clouds roll away and the sky shall show blue once more. Then shall the children be again in sunshine.
116. When a dead person is brought to the burial place, the speaker on the opposite side of the Council Fire shall bid the bereaved family cheer their minds once again and rekindle their hearth fires in peace, to put their house in order and once again be in brightness for darkness has covered them. He shall say that the black clouds shall roll away and that the bright blue sky is visible once more. Therefore shall they be in peace in the sunshine again.
117. Three strings of shell one span in length shall be employed in addressing the assemblage at the burial of the dead. The speaker shall say:
“Hearken you who are here, this body is to be covered. Assemble in this place again ten days hence for it is the decree of the Creator that mourning shall cease when ten days have expired. Then shall a feast be made.”
Then at the expiration of ten days the speaker shall say: “Continue to listen you who are here. The ten days of mourning have expired and your minds must now be freed of sorrow as before the loss of a relative. The relatives have decided to make a little compensation to those who have assisted at the funeral. It is a mere expression of thanks. This is to the one who did the cooking while the body was lying in the house. Let her come forward and receive this gift and be dismissed from the task.” In substance this shall be repeated for every one who assisted in any way until all have been remembered.
Everyone is a warrior for spreading the Great Peace. Once women, as the progenitors of the soil, take their true natural place, then the peace will be able to spread to the world. The men protect the women. No one harms the women, the children and all living things in the community. The Great Peace is their authority.
