THE GREAT LAW

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

…continued from last week

REMOVAL OF THE SACHEMS

35TH WAMPUM

Should any Sachem of the Hotinonshonni try to establish an independent authority other than that of the Kaianerekowa (Great Law) he shall firstly, be warned by his women relatives. If he does not heed the warning, a second warning will be given by his warrior relatives. Should he disregard this, a third and final warning will be given by the Sachems of the Nation to which he belongs and if he still refuses, the Head Warrior shall dismiss him and another shall be chosen by the women relatives of the disposed Sachem.

36TH WAMPUM

When the Sachems are in error by not acting in the best interests of the Hotinonshonni, then the men or women or both together shall bring the matter up at open council.

If a Sachem disregards the third warning from his women relatives for an error or wrongdoing the women shall refer to the Council of Clan Warriors. From among the men, one is chosen to accompany the Clan Mother to speak on behalf of the clan to the Sachem saying, “So you disregarded the warnings of your female relatives. You have flung the warning over your shoulder to put them behind you. Take notice of the brightness of the sun and sun’s light, I take away your title and remove the sacred emblem of your title of Sachem. I take away from your head the deer’s antlers which was the symbol of your noble position. I now dehorn you and return your title to your women relatives to hold.” The speaker again addresses the dehorned sachem saying, “Mothers, I have dehorned your Sachem and return the title and emblem of that title to you, take and hold them.”

The speaker then addresses the dehorned Sachem again saying, “I have now taken away your status of Sachem. The Creator does not condone wrongdoings, so he will not come to your aid on the course of destruction which you have chosen. You will never be restored to your former title.” The speaker then addresses the Council of the Nation to which the dehorned Sachem belonged, “Before you the Sachems, I have taken the deer’s antlers, a symbol of position and greatness.”

The Council of the League shall have no choice but to sanction the removal of the Sachem.

CONDOLENCE OF THE SACHEM

37TH WAMPUM

When a new sachem is to be condoled, he shall furnish four strings of shell or wampum, one span in length and bound together at the end. This will be evidence of his pledge to the Hotinonshonni of his good faith and willingness to live by the Kaianerekowa (Great Law) and exercise justice in all affairs. The speaker for his Council will hold the wampum furnished by the new

Sachem and address the opposite side of the Council Fire. The speaker states, “This young man is about to become a Sachem, look at him, see how well he looks.” The bunch of wampum is then sent to the side of the Council Fire, who address him, “We now place with you the sacred symbol of deer’s antlers, a sign of your title of Sachem. You will be a Spiritual Advisor to the Hotinonshonni, the thickness of your skin will be seven spans, your proof against anger, actions against you, and criticism. Your heart shall be filled with peace and goodwill and your mind filled with thoughts for the welfare of the Hotinonshonni. Patiently you will carry out your duties and your firmness shall be handed out with kindness for your people. You will not allow a place in your mind for actions of anger or fury. In all your official actions you will put away all thoughts of yourself. Listen to the warnings of your people. If they warn of an error or wrong you may have done, return to the way of the Kaianerekowa (Great Law). Think only of your people and the generations of unborn yet to come.”

38TH WAMPUM

When a chieftainship title is to be conferred, the candidate Sachem shall furnish the cooked venison, the corn bread and the corn soup, together with other necessary things and the labor for the Conferring of Titles Festival.

39TH WAMPUM

The Sachem of the Hotinonshonni have the authority to confer a crown of deer’s antlers in the event of a conferred Sachem’s death or whenever the Kaianerekowa (Great Law) is recited and the strings and belts of the Hotinonshonni read.

40TH WAMPUM

“Hanging the antlers on the Wall or Sickness strikes a Condoled Chief”

If a Sachem of the Hotinonshonni should become seriously ill and be near death, the women who are heirs of his title go to his house and lift his crown of deer antlers, the symbol of chieftainship, and place them to one side. If the Creator spares the sachem, he may rise with the antlers on his brow.

Continued next week