“Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as People. Now our minds are one.” Excert from Thankgiving Address that the Haudenosaunee recite whenever they gather
“One arrow can be easily broken. But when five arrows are be bound together, they become strong. As the five arrows are strongly bound together with our ways and customs and this shall symbolize that the five nations are united; we are of One Mind.” Peacemaker to the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga and Seneca
“I have uprooted The Great White Pine Tree. In this cavern we shall toss our weapons of war and bury the hatchets of hatred as we replant the Tree of Peace. On top of this tree a will place an eagle to watch for any dangers that may come to endanger this peace. I will also send out 4 white roots of peace. If anyone seeks peace, they can trace the roots back and find shelter here.” Peacemaker to the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga and Seneca
“We shall call each other Brother, as we are equal. In one canoe is our way of life, laws, and people. In the other is your ship with your laws, religion, and people. Our vessels will travel side by side down the river of life. Each will respect the ways of each other and will not interfere with the other, forever. Forever will be as long as the grass is green, as long as the water runs downhill, and as long as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.” Haudenosaunee to the White Brothers Two Row wampum 1613
“We are become a small people and much lessened by the war. If the people of Virginia, Maryland, Pensilvania, the Jerseys, Connecticutt and New-England who have all put their hand to the Covenant Chain will joyn with the inhabitants of this place we are ready to go and root out the French and all our enemyes out of Canada…. We renew the covenant chain in behalfe of the whole House, the Mohaques, Oneydes, Onondages Cayouges & Sinnekes.” Benjamin Fletcher, English Governor at Albany speaking to Haudenosaunee, 1696
“You who are wise must know, that different Nations have different conceptions. And therefore our ideas of education happen not to be the same as yours.” Canasatego, an Onondaga Spokesman addressing English Colonial Officials, 1744
“We heartily recommend Union and a good agreement between you, our (English) bretheren … Our wise forefathers established union and amity between the Five Nations; this has made us formidable; this has given us great weight and authority in our neighboring nations. We are a powerful Confederacy; and, by your observing the same methods our wise forefathers have taken, you will acquire fresh strength and power.” Chief Canasatego (Onondaga) urging the colonists to have a democratic governenment like the Haudenosaunee. 1744 – Treaty of Lancaster
“It would be a very strange Thing, if six Nations of ignorant Savages should be capable of forming a Scheme for such an Union, and be able to execute it in such a Manner, as that it has subsisted Ages, and appears indissoluble; and yet that a like Union should be impracticable for ten or a Dozen English Colonies, to whom it is more necessary, and must be more advantageous; and who cannot be supposed to want an equal Understanding of their Interests.” Benjamin Franklin remarking on the government of the Haudenosaunee 1751
“We now entreat you to Join us in our Request to ye. Genrl. and Govr. wh. is, that they Assist in keeping bright, and Strong ye. Covenant Chain, which is to say (that) of late (the Covenant Chain) seems to contract a great deal of rust.” Teyyawarunte, Onondaga Spokesman speaking about the relationship between New York and the Haudenosaunee, 1763
“As for the Six Nations having acknowledged themselves Subjects of the English, that I conclude must be a very gross Mistake and am well satisfied were they told so, they would not be well pleased. I know I would not venture to treat them as Subjects, unless there was a Resolution to make War upon them (Six Nations), which is not very likely to happen, but I believe they would on such an attempt, very soon resolve to cut our Throats.” General Thomas Gage, the commander of all British troops, on the sovereignty of the Haudenosaunee, 1772
“We see this as a fight between father and son. We will not join either side.” Haudenosaunee pledge neutrality in upcoming Revolution 1775 Ft. Pitt
“The Expedition you are appointed to command is to be directed against the hostile tribes of the Six Nations of Indians, with their associates and adherents. The immediate objects are the total destruction and devastation of their settlements, and the capture of as many prisoners of every age and sex as possible. It will be essential to ruin their crops now in the ground and prevent their planting more. I would recommend, that some post in the center of the Indian Country, should be occupied with all expedition, with sufficient quantity of provisions whence parties should be detached to lay waste all the settlements around, with instructions to do it in the most effectual manner, that the country may not be merely overrun, but destroyed.” General George Washington’s orders to destroy all Haudenosaunee men, women and children, 1778
“We moved, on the next day, crossing in our path a deep creek and the Little Seneca river, and after marching six miles we reached the castle, which consisted of 128 houses, mostly very large and elegant. The town was beautifully situated, almost encircled with a clear flat which extends for a number of miles, where the most extensive fields of corn were, and every kind of vegetable that can be conceived. The whole army was immediately engaged in destroying the crops. The corn was collected and burned in houses and kilns, that the enemy might not reap the least advantage from it, which method we have pursued in every other place… Every creek and river has been traced, and the whole country explored in search of Indian settlements; and I am well persuaded, that, except one… there is not a single town left in the country of the five nations.” General John Sullivan 1779
“To remove the animosities which have arisen during the late war … considering our (NYS) loses, the debts we have incurred and our former friendship, it is reasonable that you make to us such a cession of your lands as will aid us in repairing and discharging the same.” Gov. George Clinton to Haudenosaunee chiefs, 1784
“It gave me great pain to hear last year that some of our young men had on their own accord and without our consent gone into your country and purchased your lands … They are disobedient children who have violated the laws made by their fathers …” Gov. George Clinton to the Onondagas, 1788
“We did not expect that you, after advising us to shun private treaties with individuals and avoid selling our lands to your disobedient children, that you would yourself purchase lands from a few of our wrong-headed young men, without the consent or knowledge of the chiefs.” Onondaga Chief Sharongyowanon to Gov. George Clinton, 1789
“When your army entered the country of the Six Nations, we called you Town Destroyer: and to this day when that name is heard our women look behind them and turn pale, and our children cling close to the necks of their mothers. Our counsellors and warriors are men, and cannot be afraid; but their hearts are grieved with the fears of our women and children, and desire that it may be buried so deep as to be heard no more.” Seneca Chief Cornplanter to President George Washington – 1790
“Here, then, is the security for the remainder of your lands. No State, nor person, can purchase your lands, unless at a public treaty, held under the authority of the United States. The General Government will never consent to you being defrauded, but will protect you in all your just rights.” President George Washington to the Haudenosaunee -Trade and Intercourse Act of 1790
“Indians have been so often deceived by White people, that White Man is, among many of them, but another name for Liar. Really, Sir I am unwilling to be subjected to this infamy. I confess I am not indifferent to a good name, even among Indians. Besides, they viewed, and expressly considered me, as “your Representative;” and my promises, as the promises of “the Town Destroyer.” Sir, for your honour & the honour & interest of the United States, I wish them to know that there are some white men who are incapable of deceiving.” Negotiator Timothy Pickering of the Canandaigua Treaty to President Washington – 1792
“I call upon you to point out a single instance in which we have not acted fairly, openly and honestly with you, as brothers should do with each other, or in which we have failed to fufill our agreements with you.” Gov. George Clinton to Onondaga and Cayuga chiefs, 1794
“Peace and friendship are hereby firmly established, and shall be perpetual, between the United States and the Six Nations.” Article I of Canandaigua Treaty 1794
“The United States having thus described and acknowledged what lands belong to the Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas, and engaged never to claim the same, nor to disturb them, or any of the Six Nations, or their Indian friends residing thereon and united with them, in the free use and enjoyment thereof.” Article IV of Canandaigua Treaty 1794
“That all lands claimed by and secured to said Seneca and Onondago Nations of Indians by Treaty, Convention or deed of conveyance or reservation, lying and being within the limits of the said United States, shall be and remain the property of the said Seneca and Onondago Nations of Indians forever; unless they shall voluntarily relinquish or dispose of the same. And all persons, Citizens of the United States, are hereby strictly forbidden to disturb said Indian Nations in their quiet possession of said land.” Henry Dearborn, Secretary of War for President Jefferson 1802
“If the Iroquois … want to become citizens of the United States they must renounce allegiance to their own people. . . . neither the state of New York nor the United States can break them (the reservations) up without the Indians’ consent, or through conditions analogous to those of war. They have always been recognized as nations… The conclusion is irresistible that the Six Nations are nations by treaty and law, and have long since been recognized as such by the United States and the State of New York, and an enlightened public will surely hesitate before proceeding to divest these people of long-established rights without their consent – rights recognized and confirmed in some cases by the immortal Washington and by more than a hundred years of precedents and legislation.” Thomas Donaldson 1892
“The Haudenosaunee rejects the claim by the United States that we are its citizens. We remind the United States of the Two Row Wampum and the Canandaigua Treaty, stating our sovereignty as a Nation” Onondaga Council letter to President Coolidge 1924 Citizen Act
“If we find it necessary to observe our treaty commitments in Southeast Asia, maybe we should observe our treaty commitments George Washington made right here in New York State.” Dr. James Eagan, 1971– Vice Pres. Nat. Conf. of Christians and Jews
“This Resolution is to acknowledge the contribution of the Iroquois Confederacy of Nations to the development of the United States Constitution.” Sen. Daniel Inouye – 1987 100th Congress, 1st Session S. Con. Res.7
Read the entire Resolution
“This historic treaty, signed by President Washington, recognized the Six Nations and The United States as sovereign entities….Now more than two centries later, we continue to build on this relationship, living side by side, learning from one another, appreciating one another’s culture, and celebrating the gift of democracy that we all cherish.” President Bill Clinton to the Onondaga Nation regarding the Canandaigua Treaty 1999
“In this Land Rights Action we seek justice. Justice for the waters. Justice for the four legggeds and the wingeds, whose habitats have been taken. We justice, not just for ourselves, but justice for the whole creation.” Audrey Shenandoah Land Rights News Conference 2005
“If it were up to us, we wouldn’t have written a Bill of Rights without a Bill of Responsibility” Irving Powless Jr. speaking at Syracuse Stage about Haudenosaunee and United States government 2007
“They don’t want money; they don’t want casinos. What do they want? Judge: They want justice.” Federal Judge Herne in response to NYS lawyers’ statement on the Onondaga Nation’s Land Rights Case – 2009