On April 8, 2024 a solar eclipse is expected to cross the lands of the Haudenosaunee. This is an important reminder of the beginning of the Haudenosauneee and the creation of oldest democratic government, Gaya•neñ•hsä•’gó•nah, The Great Law of Peace, on Turtle Island.
Long ago, it was a dark time for the people as we forgot the ways the Creator gave us. We replaced our ways with anger, revenge, jealousy, hatred, and war. Death and destruction surrounded all of the people.
The Creator sent a messenger to bring peace. We call him the Peace Maker. The Peace Maker traveled to us in a canoe made of white stone to show that his words of the Great Peace were powerful and truly sent by the Creator.
But because there was so much distrust among the people, the Peace Maker’s message was met with uncertanty and skepticism.
The Peace Maker first brought the message of peace to the Mohawks. The Mohawks listened and were unsure of his plan. They decided he must pass a test. The Peace Maker climbed a tree that leaned over a large waterfall. The Mohawks cut down the tree and watched the tree and the Peace Maker fall over the waterfall. The Mohawks stated that if he survived the fall, they would listen to his plan of peace. The Peace Maker survived.
The Mohawks listened and were the first nation to accept the Great Peace.
As the plan of the Great Peace grew and was accepted by the Oneida and Cayuga nations, the Peace Maker brought the plan to the Seneca. The Seneca could not decide if this plan would work or believe that the Peace Maker was indeed sent by the Creator.
The Peace Maker then foretold to the Seneca that there would be a sign in the sky to show that this plan is true and sent by the Creator.
When the Seneca looked to the sky and saw the sun turn black, a solar eclipse, they were convinced and joined the Great Peace.
All four nations traveled to Onondaga where they convinced Tadodaho, and the Onondaga to join the Great Peace. At Onondaga, they planted a Tree of Peace where they buried their hatches of hatred, jealousy, and anger against each other. They pledged peace among the five nations and established a government guided by peace for the future generations. We called ourselves the Haudenosaunee, the People of the Longhouse.
Today, travelers in the Albany, New York area can travel to Cohoes Falls where they can see where the Mohawks first tested the Peace Maker. There remains a historical marker commemorating this historic site. And now on April 8, 2024, we can see the eclipse like the Peace Maker foretold as a sign that his plan of Gaya•neñ•hsä•’gó•nah.
It is a good reminder of how strong the message of the Great Law of Peace is.
Da•ne’tho’,
~Dehowähda•dih
Notes:
Videos:
• Onondaga Nation School students on the eclipse and creation of the Haudenosaunee.
• PBS series Native America about the eclipse and the creation of the Haudenosaunee.