A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
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Continued from last week. Much sleep had passed in the lost valley, many times had Wahu watched the migrating flocks of geese and listened to the thundering hooves of the vast bison herds. Merciless time had carried everything away on its wings. All that was left were the long shadows slowly settling on the silent countryside. Only they understood the old Indian and it was with them that he talked to every evening before the stars came out above the camp. One evening, when the shadows were longest, they brought him a message from the Great...
Continued from last week. The old man sat on the floor of his wigwam, gloating over the large heaps of glittering wampum. “My lovely shells, my beautiful shells,” his bloodless lips murmured, “there are still so few of you.” He was so engrossed that he failed to notice that a snowstorm had broken outside. It was only when the wind leaned violently against the walls of the wigwam that the old man sat up. “What’s happening?” he whispered, seized by a feeling of dread. There came a clap of thunder. The greedy old man ran outside, and there he...
Continued from last week. The Story of Niagara As far back as people can remember, the waters of the Niagara have been falling into the deep gorge, its thundering stream swallowing up everything it manages to catch hold of. And yet the Indians know Niagara – who hear the rumble of the waterfall on their long voyages, by the fire, as well as in their sleep – are not frightened of the Niagara. That is so because they know this story. There once lived a beautiful maiden in an Indian camp. Many good, brave, and daring young men tried to woo her...
Continued from last week Upon reaching the hill, they were led to a lodge in which a woman was cooking a meal, she asked the children to sit down on the logs near the fire. “How is it that you have strayed so far from home,” she asked the strange children. Kaikaik (meaning Hawk) the eldest grandchild told them of their unlucky hunting and fishing trips which took them further and further away from home. As, Kaikaik finished the story, the lady squawked, “You have just come in time,” she gave them bowls and squawked again, “eat all you want....
The Grandchildren Far from any village lived Zhingwauk (meaning Pine) and his grandchildren. Through the deaths of his wife and the children’s parents, Zhingwauk had to raise the children. Throughout the years, Zhingwauk taught his grandchildren how to survive. During the many evenings he taught them how to speak their language, to pray and through legends the children learned the good and evil. Of all the things Zhingwauk did for the children the most important was the love he gave each child. As time passed, the children forgot their s...
Our Parents Story “Why Indians Must Speak Their Native Language” This is a story about a man and a woman who were married and how they learned of a message from the Creator on how we are to raise our children. This man and woman wanted very much to be blessed with a child. They were poor, but they knew that a child would bring them much happiness. Finally, after eight long years, the woman happily announced to her husband that she was going to have a child. This brought them much joy. When the great day arrived, a baby girl was born. The mot...
Wesakaychak and the Geese One day as Wesakaychak was sitting by a lake watching some geese frolicking in the sun, he thought to himself, “My, they move with such grace and speed. Why should they alone enjoy the power of flight? I am sure man is also worthy of this gift.” He decided to speak to the geese and discuss it with them. He walked to the lakeside and called to them, but they knew Wesakaychak. He was always up to something and so they did not trust him. After a great deal of persuasive talk on the part of Wesakaychak, the head gander cam...
The Little Bird’s Arrow Wesakaychak was a harmful person who had the power to change into any form to accomplish his use. To prove his intelligence, he often found himself in trouble. His main purpose was to set things right in the world, but he did things to fulfill his satisfaction. Wesakaychak called everyone his brother and sister and was able to communicate with the plants and animals. He never found one place to call home because he was always travelling around the world. Wesakaychak was always hungry, and through his dishonest ways a...
The Prophecy of The Great White Serpent The Prophecy of the Great White Serpent is known by many Indian nations. This happened a long time ago. Two young warriors who were recognized by their village as being great hunters, decided to go east towards the rising sun in search of bigger game. They hunted until they came across a great body of water. They noticed that the water was different – it was salty. They also noticed something lying on a log, drifting towards them. Something strange, never seen by these hunters before. They began to a...
Continued from last week. The Very Angry Ghost Young men never know how to behave themselves. They should learn good manners from their elders, but they seldom do. One day, long ago an old warrior who had counted many coups in his days took three young braves with him on a raid to steal horses from the Pawnees, ancient enemies of the Sioux. “Stealing Horses” – this is what the white man called it. But it was really a sport practiced by all the Plains tribes. To creep into an enemy village quietly, unseen, and to make off with their herd right...
Continued from last week. Zoong-dae-ae felt confident he would do well because he knew the area. Also, his father had prepared his bow and arrows, told him where to go, what for and what to do. With this help and encouragement, Zoong-dae-ae left his parent’s lodge and village. As evening came, Zoong-dae-ae returned to the village with four partridges and four rabbits. Never before had he done so well. Zoong-da-ae was sure his father would be pleased and was certain no other boy would bring back as much game. He said a prayer of thanksgiving t...
Printed by North American Travelling College The Robin Many years after the marriage of Pigaigun (Rib) and his wife Waubenoqua (Women of the Dawn), a son was born to them. They named him Zoong-dae-ae (Strong Hearted). The birth of their son made the parents extremely happy and grateful. Pigaigun wanted his son to be a great warrior, hunter and outstanding to all the people. To be successful in these ideals, Pigaigun planned to teach his son courage, strength, endurance and the skills of hunting and fishing. The training began as soon as...
Continued from last week. The next morning the old Bear Clan woman woke to find the old man in severe pain. The Bear Clan woman felt so sorry for the old man and asked what she could do to help him be more comfortable. He told the old woman that in the forest where the hardwood trees grow there are patches of medicine plants. He described exactly what they looked like and gave the old lady sacred tobacco to offer to the leader of the medicine patch. He told her how to wash the medicine, how many roots, how much water to use, how long and how ho...
Continued from last week Wakes, Funerals, and the Clan When someone passes away it is said that their life fire went out. If a person from the Bear Clan passes away, it means that all the people who sit on the side of the Bear Clan are in mourning and are called Rotinikonhkwenhtara:on (their minds have fallen down). A representative of the family of the deceased notifies a Roia:ne or Faithkeeper of the opposite side of the nation’s fire, (Wolf and Turtle Clan People). The opposite side immediately calls a meeting of their men and women. It b...
Continued from last week. Akwesasne Mohawk Nation Council and the Clans There is a special arrangement of the Rontiianehson. This seating arrangement is a structure which enables laws to be made in a structured way. Years ago, some of the leaders changed the seating of the clans and their functions. They kept the format and the same procedural structure. The following explains the way the Council functions today. The Council is separated in three parts. The first part of the Council is the well and the three Rotiianehson of the Turtle Clan sit...
Was a:se The Thunder Dance and the Clans In the Longhouse at Akwesasne the Thunder Dance is put through two times a year. The first Thunder Dance is put on shortly after the very first thunder is heard. Usually, it is in the month of March or April. A fire is made outside of the Longhouse at the western end. A Bear Clan man is chosen to lead the other young men and boys who portray the Thunder Beings whom we always address as our grandfathers. Also, the Wolf and Turtle Clan chose one man each to represent or lead their men and boys in the Dance...
Aton:wa Ceremony (Name Raising) The Aton:wa Ceremony is referred to as the personal thanksgiving chant; it is also known as the name raising, or confirmation of the names given to babies. The ceremony of Aton:wa is originally intended for the males. In Akwesasne the girl babies are also included except that they don't have a song sung for them when they get their name confirmed. Aton:wa comes from the word Atonhets which means your soul, your spirit, or your life-giving force. The Aton:wa ceremo...
Continued from last week. Weddings and Clans A young man of the Bear Clan and a young woman of the Wolf Clan plan to get married. This is proper, and their will become good candidates to become Faithkeepers, Clan Mothers, or Rotiianehson. A couple cannot marry unless they have the consent of both their mothers. In traditional marriages, you can be forty years old, but you would still need the consent of your mother. A couple desiring to get married must make a request to the council of Chiefs...
Continued from last week. Iakoia:ne In the Mohawk Nation there are nine Kontiianehson. They are the head women of a large extended family within each clan. They are the women who are referred to as Clan Mothers. The Kotiianehson are responsible for the probes of selecting a Roia:ne (man leader) or deposing a Roia:ne, if he fails to perform his official duties. For each principle Roia:ne title there are four assistants: Iakoiane (clan mother) Roia:ne (principal man leader) Raterontanonha (man sub-leader) “He takes care of the tree” is the lit...
Continued from last week. On the first day of the Satekohsehon (midwinter festival), the leader will announce that all people (women and men) from the Wolf, Turtle and Snipe Clan will enter by the men’s door (East Door) until the entire Midwinter Festival is completed. On the first day the Bear, Eel and Deer Clan will enter the Longhouse from the women’s door to the west. This practice is done only at Midwinter Ceremonies. Many times, people forget and come in the wrong door at Midwinter. The people remind them in a playful and joking way and...
Continued from last week. Rotinenio’thro:non The Deer Clan The Deer Clan people are originally from the Onondaga or the Cayuga Nations. The people of the Deer Clan are generally on the timid and shy side. They tend to form an opinion quickly. They don’t always gather all the facts on which to make a decision. The Deer Clan people are easily intimidated and somewhat athletic. They are a people of good intentions as long as there are people to break the ice. They tend to be followers more than bold leaders. They are generally kindhearted but are...
Continued from last week. A’no:wara Turtle Clan The turtle Clan is one of the principal clans of the Mohawks. The turtle is the symbol of the entire earth. We walk upon the turtle’s back. The people of the Turtle Clan are the foundation of our Nation. Because of this fact the Turtle Clan people are very consistent, determined and humbly stubborn. The Turtle Clan people are in most cases very shy. They tend to be somewhat middle of the road between the Wolf and Bear Clan characteristics. Whenever anything occurs that is surprising or sta...
Continued from last week. Clans of the Mohawk People The clans are taken from the animal, bird, or fish life. The clans are inherited from the mothers. This type of transmission of the clans is called a matrilineal system. Spiritual, social, economic, and political life are interwoven; one without the other is not considered whole or complete. (Spiritual and political are inseparable.) Giving of a name Amongst the Rotinonhson:ni nations each of the clans have specific names that belong to each clan. A Bear Clan person must have a Bear Clan...
Ronikonhrowa:nen told the people that when one of the parties addresses the other they will call each other cousins. If someone dies from the Wolf, Turtle, the Hawk, or the Beaver Clan, it is said that all the people on that side of the house will be in grief or mourning. It will then be the responsibility of the people on the other side of the house to aid those who are in grief. The people who did not lose anyone on their side of the house are called Roti’nikonkate (they whose minds are strong). The people who are from the clans of the R...
Continued from last week. The people and the elders listened very closely to what the man told them. Everyone was amazed at what the man said. It seemed to make very good sense. It was at that point the elders said they would give the man a special name. The elders chose the name Ronikonhrowa:nen (He who has great ideas). Ronikonhrowa:nen gathered the people and told them that they should all be ready to travel early the next morning. The next day the people were ready, and they did travel. As the people travelled, they followed the river....
