http://www.histori.ca/minutes/minute.do?id=10120
As a symbol of the League of the Five Nations, Tekanawite chose the pine tree. Under the tree was a great hole filled with rushing water. Into this hole the warriors flung their hatchets and war-clubs. Then they raised the fallen tree together, planting it firmly in the land of the Onondagas, the place of the Great Council Fire. Under the shade of the Tree of Peace sat Atotárho and other Onondaga chiefs, caretakers of the Great Peace. The tree had long roots spreading north, east, south and west. If any nation wished to join the League, it could follow the roots to the source and take shelter under the tree's shade. Atop the tree, Tekanawite placed the Eagle-that-sees-far to watch and scream a warning at the approach of danger. "We bind ourselves together," said Tekanawite, "by taking hold of each other's hands so firmly and forming a circle so strong that if a tree should fall upon it, it could not shake nor break, so that our people and grandchildren shall remain in the circle in peace, security and happiness." The Iroquois people trace their great Confederacy back more than 1,500 years. In 1713 the five nations were joined by the Tuscaroras to create the League of the Six Nations, the Confederacy that has lasted down to the present day. The Great Peace was accepted across North America by all of the native nations. I carry the Mind of the Master of Life, and my message will bring an end to the wars between east and west. The word that I bring is that all peoples shall love one another and live together in peace. This message has three parts: Righteousness and Health and Power - *Gaiihwiyo, Skenno, Gashedenza.* And each part has two branches. Righteousness means justice practised between men and between nations; it means also a desire to see justice prevail. Health means soundness of mind and body; it also means peace, for that is what comes when minds are sane and bodies cared for. Power means authority, the authority of law and custom, backed by such force as is necessary to make justice prevail; it also means religion, for justice enforced is the will of the Holder of the Heavens and has His sanction. It will take the form of the Longhouse, in which there are many fires, one for each family, yet all live as one household under one Chief Mother. Hereabouts are Five Nations, each with its own Council Fire, yet they shall live together as one household in peace. They shall be the Kanonsiónni, the Longhouse. They shall have one mind and live under one law. Thinking shall replace killing, and there shall be one Commonwealth.(52)<http://www.bahai-library.org/file.php?file=buck_native_messengers#N_52_> Moq_Discuss mailing list Listinfo, Unsubscribing etc. http://lists.moqtalk.org/listinfo.cgi/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org Archives: http://lists.moqtalk.org/pipermail/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org/ http://moq.org.uk/pipermail/moq_discuss_archive/
