Reprinted from Wampum Belts of the Iroquois

By Tehanetorens

RECORD OF CHIEFS OF MOHAWK NATION

Mohawk Clan Chieftanship wampum strings are a record of the leaders of the Mohawk Nation. The keeper of this record was of the Wolf Clan, whose title is Sarenhowane. There should be similar records of the other four nations of the original Iroquois states.

The Mohawk Nations has nine chiefs, thus the nine strings in this record. The small string of wampum uniting them symbolizes that the chiefs shall all be of one mind. The nine wampum strings are in three groups representing the three clans of the Mohawk Nation: the Turtle clan, the Wolf Clan, and the Bear Clan. Each clan is represented at the Mohawk Council by three chiefs. The string standing for the first Chief of each clan is of white wampum only. Two purple wampum among the white represents the Second Chief, and the string repre­senting the Third Chief has three purple wampum. The wampum strings lay with the all-white string on the left and read from left to right:

TURTLE CLAN

1st Chief: Tekarihoken (The Mediator)

2nd Chief: Ayonwatha (Hiawatha) (He Who Combs)

3rd Chief: Satekariwate (The Clear Thinker)

WOLF CLAN

1st Chief: Sarenhowane (Majestic Tree)

2nd Chief: Teyonhekwen (He Who Has Two Lives)

3rd Chief: Orenrekowa (Great Limb On A Tree)

BEAR CLAN

1st Chief: Tehanakarine (He Who Drags Horns)

2nd Chief: Ostawenserentha (He Hangs Up The Rattles)

3rd Chief: Soskoharowane (A Great Bush)

It is provided thus: The Council of the Mohawks shall be divided into three parties: Tekarihoken, Ayonwatha (Hiawatha), and Satekariwate are the first. Sarenhowane, Teyonhekwen, and Orenrekowa are the second. Tehanakarine, Ostawenserenta, and Soskoharowane are the third. The third party is to listen only to the discussion of the first and second parties. If an error is made, or the proceeding irregular, they are to call attention to it, and when the case is right and prop­erly decided by the two parties, they shall confirm the decision of the two parties and refer the case to the Seneca statesmen for their deci­sion. When the Seneca statesmen have decided, in accord with the Mohawk Statesman, the case or question shall be referred to the Cayuga and Oneida Statesmen on the opposite side of the house.

It is provided thus: In all cases of passing a law, the procedure must be as follows: When the Mohawk and Seneca Chiefs have agreed unanimously upon a question, they report their decision to the Cayuga and Oneida Chiefs who shall council upon the question and report a unanimous decision to the Mohawk Chiefs. The Mohawk Chiefs then report the decision on the case to the Firekeepers (Onondaga) who shall render a decision as they see fit in case of a dis­agreement by the two bodies, or confirm the decision to the Mohawk Chiefs who announce it to the open council.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BELT

This belt, called the George Washington Belt, is a covenant belt with the thirteen original United States. The thirteen large figures of men represent the thirteen states, their hands joined in friendship with the two center figures who are standing at each side of a house. The two center men are the Mohawks (Keepers of the Eastern Door of the Long House or Iroquois Confederacy) and the Senecas (Keeper or Door-keeper of the western part of the League). This belt commemo­rates the Treaty of Peace made during Washington’s presidency. Among promises made by the United States in this treaty was that the United States acknowledged the lands reserved to the Six Nations to be the property of the Six Nations and that the United States would never disturb or claim these lands, that the lands were to remain theirs until they chose to sell the same to the United States, who alone had the right to purchase. The United States also promised that they would protect the Six Nations from any (outside alien force), including separate states, and that it would not interfere nor let anyone else interfere in the internal affairs of the Six Nations. The Six Nations, in their usual Indian way. held the treaty inviolate. Had the white man honored this treaty, all western New York State would be owned by the Iroquois. In token of this treaty, the United States still gives certain Iroquois three or four yards of calico cloth each autumn. The Iroquois today live in hopes that the white citizens of the state and nation will see that the promises of justice and fair play promised in this treaty will be carried out. They, themselves, have kept faith for over 200 years.

IROQUOIS TERRITORY WAMPUM STRINGS

It is provided thus: A bunch of wampum strings is to be the symbol of the Council Fire of the League of Six Nations. The chief whom the Council of Firekeepers (Onondaga) shall appoint to speak for them in opening the Council shall hold the strings of shells in his hands when speaking. When he finishes speaking, he shall place the strings on an elevated place or pole so that all the assembled Chiefs and the people may see it and know that the Council is open and in progress. These six strings of wampum tied together as one shall represent the Six Nations. Each string shall represent one territory, and the whole a completely united territory known as The Six Nations Territory.

FORT STANWIX TREATY BELT

This belt was exchanged at the signing of the Treaty between the Six Nations and the United States at Fort Stanwix (Rome, N.Y.) Oct. 22, 1784. At this treaty (as in all others) the Six Nations was guaranteed the right of occupancy forever in the immemorial domain of the Iroquois League. The United States further promised to prevent anyone, including any state, from taking Indian lands or from interfering in the internal affairs of the Six Nations. As usual, the Six Nations alone faithfully kept the agreements made at this treaty.