Haudenosaunee Confederacy News

•• HETF-Haudenosaunee Environmental Task Force met with Great Lakes National Program on Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at the Center for Excellence in Syracuse, NY. The meeting was about the amending of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement that has had no changes since the early 1970’s. The Great Lakes National Group is interested in the ideas and thoughts of the groups involved in the Great Lakes area.

The HETF is willing to share with the Great-Lakes National Program only if Canada and the USA accept the Haudenosaunee on a nation to nation basis.

•• The Okiweh Society has scheduled the Okiweh ceremony for Saturday March 12, 2011 at 7:00pm. The Okiweh ceremony is open to anyone as we have all lost loved ones and friends. If you bring a food item then you need to pass it out. Just wait and someone will tell you when it’s your turn.

In Akwesasne this is an all night ceremony. The ceremony ends at daylight. There are social dances after you eat the food passed out by the Okiweh Society members and those who bring food. A note- you don’t have to eat all the food given to you- you can take it home.

I’ve left a detail out- when you pass your food out; the first spoonful/piece goes into a box (located on a bench) that will be taken to the cemetery by a designated person.

Remember to bring a container for your food, utensils to eat with and a glass for strawberry drink. Extras to help you include: bowl with cover, storage bags for your extra food.

Come and take part in this ceremony.

•• In Haudenosaunee Country there is not much happening. On Monday a small condolence took place at the Tonawanda Seneca Nation for Roiane Norman Hill. Leroy Hill, Cayuga, spoke for the younger brothers (Cayuga & Oneida) and Pete Skye (Onondaga), spoke for the Elder brothers (Onondaga, Seneca and Mohawk. No one was named to sit in the title name. The family title holders will take time to make their selection and then request a condolence.

•• It’s supposed to rain for a couple of days so watch your cellars and call for help from family, neighbors and the Fire Department.

Keep smilin!