The Founding of the Kahniakehaka (Mohawk) Nation Council

This article was provided using the knowledge of Chief John Arthur Gibson in Concerning the League: The Iroquois League Tradition as dictated in Onondaga.

Interpreted by the Mohawk Nation Council in collaboration with the Circle of Knowledge and Traditional Iroquois Orator’s Society.

The origin of the Kahniakehaka (Mohawk) Nation Council begins in an area known today as Cohoes Falls. New York. It was the birthplace of the first original Rottioneshon title names and seat of government. It also marks the end of an era of war chief leadership positions which were extinguishes by the birth of the Great Law of Peace within the Five Nations Confederacy.

Before the confederation of the Haudenosaunee nations and the coming of the Kaianeraserakowa, the political structure of the Iroquois was organized in three leadership positions consisting of a chief (Rasonnawano’tans “He got a large name”), a War Chief (Roskarakete:kowa), and a Deputy to the War Chief. The Chiefs role was on a diplomatic front regarding regional matters concerning war and stability, and also made day-to-day decisions pertaining to the affairs of the people. The War Chief’s role was to carry messages from time to time on behalf of the Chief to the people and to rally the young men to take up arms of war. The Deputy to the War Chief acted as an advisor on matters concerning warfare. During these times of hardship and war, the leaders maintained the hostile environment of violence with their warring neighbors, groups, or factions by reviving past grievances.

When the Peacemaker brought the Message of Peace.

At this meeting the Chief, the War Chief and his Deputy assembled with the people to hear the Peacemaker’s message. The Peacemaker revealed that the Good Message, Power and Peace would end the bloodshed amongst the warring nations. The Chief, War Chief, and Deputy ask the Peacemaker the meaning of the Kashastensera (Power) and Skennen (Peace).

Kariwiio (Good Message)-Righteousness-Justice

The meaning of the Kariwiio (Good Message) was found in works of Unity and Respect. Unity was nurtured by the message that the people should “respect each other as though they are one). Therefore, all groups and factions of various nations would be known as relative to each other and would respect one another and thus violence would cease. The people were also told that they could mend their mistakes to the Creator, then the ideals of Peace and Unity were born.

Kashastensera (Power) – Mind – Reason

Kashastensera (Power) was defined through unity. It was said that “all of the nations will unite all their affairs, and the group of several nations will become just a single one, and their power is that they shall join hands. This, moreover, will be the basis upon which they will survive as a group, forming a single family, similar to being one person…surrounded by the Good Message.” And by this new reasoning, the families could continue on to live in Peace. This also laid the foundation of Peace, for the generations coming.

Skennen (Peace) – Health – Calmness of Mind and Body

Skennen (Peace) existed for the nations as a result of the message brought to them in the Kariwiio (Good Message) and the Kashastensera (Power). A time of Peace meant that the bloodshed and wars amongst the nations would cease, and the people would recognize each other as one family. “…it will come to pass that they will become just like one family which will encompass every nation and every language.”

Kaianaraserakowa (the Great Law of Peace)

As the message was brought to the people, it was told to them that the meaning of the Kaianaraserakowa (the Great Law of Peace) was “that everyone will be united.”

There was doubt amongst the leadership upon hearing the words of the Peacemaker. The War Chief and his Deputy questioned the outcome for the people if they accepted the message brought before them. And so a test was requested by the War Chief and his deputy. “ I might believe it, if he were able to climb that tree growing over there beside the river, on the high bank, and if, when he sits on the top of the tree, subsequently we were to cut down the tree, which would get knocked down in the direction of the river, now if this man who has arrived…were to pass the test, surviving until dawn tomorrow, then I will immediately accept whatever message he has brought, passed along.”

(Concerning the League; John Arthur Gibson, p. 109-110.)

The people witness the war leaders hacking at the growing tree. The next morning the Peacemaker reappeared, and a large crowd of people congregated, then Aionwatha said, “Have you returned now although yesterday they cut down the tree on you, you having gone under the even surface. Then the Peacemaker said, “I have returned.”

(Concerning the League; John Arthur Gibson, p. 123.)

Upon hearing the Peacemakers arrival with the message of the Good Message, the Power and the Peace, the Chief of the Mohawks was excessively wakeful, no sleeping day or night. And therefore upon hearing the message and witnessing the test at Cohoes Falls, the Chief then accepted the message of the Kariwiio (Good Message), the Kashastensera (the Power) and Skennen (Peace.)

The War Chief and his Deputy denounce their hostility and reform to a new mind when they accept the Great Law of Peace. “Now, moreover, I accept the Good Message and the Power and the Peace. So now, everybody has affirmed these matters, our voices being united.” Thereupon his Deputy said, “Now I also accept everything here explained to us.”

(Concerning the League; John Arthur Gibson, p. 124.)

The Peacemakers does away with the known names of fear and hostility.

In their acceptance of the Great Law of Peace, the two leaders receive new names from the Peacemaker.

“So now you accept the Good Message and the Power and the Peace. Now moreover I will tell you that this is your name, they will say Tokarihoke (split between matters), and the people of all of the nations will be sustained by your name in future days and nights as the families continue on.”

(Concerning the League: John Arthur Gibson, p. 126.)

New Course of Direction

Upon completion of his task with the Kahniakehaka (Mohawk) people, the Peacemaker tells the three leaders: Tekarihoke, Aionwatha and Shatekariwate, and they will work for the Kariwiio (Good Message), the Kashastensera (the Power), and Skennen (the Peace.