Hiawatha Meets The Peacemaker

Reprinted with permission from Traditional Teachings by the Native North American Travelling College

Hiawatha had lost his family of seven daughters. It was truly a great loss, and he was very miserable. Hiawatha explained that he felt that he could only wander about the forest since he had left his people at Onondaga. The Peacemaker told Hiawatha to stay there with him and that he would tell the people of that village what had happened. Finally, Hiawatha had found someone who listened to his sorrow and suffering. The Peacemaker began to tell the people what had happened, and everyone listened. The five warriors were now dismissed, and Hiawatha gave thanks to each one and told them to return home. The warriors said, “It has now happened, what was foretold in a dream, that the two are now together. Let them now arrange the Great Peace.” Then, the warriors departed. At this point, the Peacemaker brought the trouble before the Council, and he promised to let Hiawatha know of their decision. The Chiefs talked about the sad events and finally agreed to do as the Peacemaker suggested. The Peacemaker would approach Hiawatha and help him overcome his sorrow. So, the Peacemaker went back to the lodge of Hiawatha. As he was about to enter, he heard the words of Hiawatha addressing the strings and saying the words of condolence. When he finished, the Peacemaker went into the lodge and said to Hiawatha, “My younger brother, it has now become very clear to me that your sorrow must be removed. Your grief and anger has been great. I shall now remove your sorrow so that your mind may rest.” The Peacemaker asked if he had plenty of shell strings. Hiawatha answered, “Yes, I have plenty of shells in my deerskin pouch.” So, he opened his pouch, and a great quantity fell out. The Peacemaker then said, “I shall string eight more parts to my address to you.” So, then, Hiawatha allowed the additional stringing so, in all, there were fifteen strings of wampum. He bound them in four bunches. “These will be used to console the one who has lost by death a near relative,” the Peacemaker said to Hiawatha. “The fifteen strings are now ready on the horizontal pole, and I will now address you.”

Continued next week