THE GREAT LAW

…continued from last week

62ND WAMPUM

If an entire family holding the title of Sachem should become extinct the Sachems of the Hotinonshonni will take the title and give it to a sister clan and they shall then be the rightful heirs to that title from that time on.

63RD WAMPUM

If any of the women heirs of the Sachem hold back or refuse to name a Sachem or if they give their heritage, these women and their families shall be considered extinct. The title will then revert to a sister family or clan. The duty of the Sachems of the Hotinonshonni will be to give the title to another family or clan who will hold that title from that time on.

64TH WAMPUM

The women shall choose and appoint two women for each Sachem to be his cook and to do cooking when people gather at the Sachem lodging on business matters. It is not honorable for a Sachem to let his people leave his home hungry.

65TH WAMPUM

When a Sachem holds a conference in his home, his wife may prepare the food for the union of Sachems who assemble with him. This is an honorable right, which she may exercise, and an expression of her esteem.

66TH WAMPUM

The women who have the right to choose men for the title of Sachem must choose from one of their own sons a candidate they feel has the required knowledge and ability. Only those women who attend the Conference have a voice in this matter of choice. Those who do not attend have no power to try and change or interfere in the matter.

67TH WAMPUM

When the Clan Mothers, holders of a Sachem title, select one of their sons as a candidate, they shall choose one who is trustworthy, of good character, of honest disposition, one who manages is own affairs and supports his own family, if any, and who has proven a faithful man to his Nation.

ADDRESS FOR FUNERAL OF A CLAN MOTHER

68TH WAMPUM

You were once a clan Mother in the Hotinonshonni. You once were a Mother of the Clans. Now we release you for it is true that it is no longer possible for us to walk about together on the earth. Now, therefore, we lay it (the body) here. Now we say to you, “Travel onward to the place where the Creator dwells in peace. Let not the things of the earth stop you. Let nothing that happened while you lived prevent you from your travels. Looking after your family was a duty, and you were faithful. You were one of the many joint heirs of the Sachem titles. Feastings were yours and you had pleasant occasions.”

“All these things that were yours do not let them trouble you. Do not let your relatives and friends trouble your mind. Go in peace, disregarding all things.” To the relatives of the deceased:

“To you who were related to the deceased and those who were friends of the deceased, look to the path that will be yours one day. Because of this, watch yourselves as you go from place to place. Do not be idle in your acts or with your words. Do not give way to evil behavior. One year is the time that you must abstain from unseemly activities but if you cannot do this for ceremony, ten days is the length of time to regard these things for respect.”

69TH WAMPUM

When a Sachem title is vacant through death or any other cause the women of that clan to which the position was held shall council to choose from among their sons someone to fill the vacancy. The one chosen must not be a father of a Sachem of the Hotinonshonni. If all agree on the one chosen his name is put before the men of that clan. If they disapprove, it shall be their duty to select from one of their own. If the women and men cannot agree on a choice, the matter is referred to the Sachems of that Nation (brother clans). They will then decide which of the two will become sachem. If the warriors support the choice of the women, the women will refer the matter to their sister clans for confirmation, which then is referred to their fellow Sachems to confirm and if it is agreeable the new Sachem will be condoled.

THE WAMPUM

70TH WAMPUM

The large strings of white wampum to which each of the Hotinonshonni have contributed to equally certify that the Hotinonshonni; Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas are unified in one body. It also signified that the Council Fire shall be opened by the appointed Sachem holding the strings of white wampum in his hand. When the opening address is finished then the white wampum will be placed where it can be seen by the Sachem and the people. This will indicate that the Council is open and in progress. When the Council is to close, the appointed will take the wampum in his hand and address the Sachems adjourning the meeting until a time and place of the next meeting is decided. The wampum is then put in a place of safety. Every five years the Sachems of the Council of the League will assemble and will ask one another if their minds and spirits still adhere to the unity with the Kaianerekowa. All the Hotinonshonni will then declare their pledge and continued support to the Kaianerekowa (Great Law).

...Continued next issue