BY: PHIL PRESTON

INDIAN TIME - VOLUME 22 - NUMBER 25 - JUNE 24, 2004 EDITION

In the story of the formation of the Iroquois Confederacy involving the work of the Peacemaker, we find tremendous gifts of wisdom through powerful symbols. A good speaker will help us to understand these lessons during his recital of the story of the Kaieneraserakowa (Great Law). Each lesson or point expressed depends on the individuality of the speaker. Some points may be emphasized more than others, but the story itself, and the recounting of the Great Law will always be given full detail. Indeed, there is always another man sitting nearby the speaker to ensure that all points are covered and expressed, leaving nothing out, but also allowing the speaker to freely express extra relevant content in his own way.

Bacground: The man we know commonly as Hiawatha suffered the loss of his wife and six daughters due to the jealous "witchcraft" and bad medicines practiced by the Onondaga "sorcerer" commonly known as Thadadaho. Thadadaho wanted Hiawatha's wife for his own. She would not fall victim to Thadadaho's enticement and seduction and so she was murdered. One after another, Thadadaho attempted enticement and seduction of Hiawatha's daughters starting with the oldest, never being successful. All were murdered. Thadadaho used many tricks to accomplish his goals.

One such trick was used during a lacrosse game. During this game, which was attended by a large crowd of people just as today, Thadadaho conjured up a large colorful and beautiful bird. He sent this bird flying through the crowd and among the lacrosse players. The people were so intrigued and obsessed over this amazing bird's beauty that they all went running chasing after it to see such an incredibly rare creature. This flashy, gorgeous-to-the-eye site was nearly magical in its seductive powers over the people's minds and actions. Without regard for what they were already doing, nor what was going on around them, the massive crowd unknowingly trampled to death one of Hiawatha's daughters whom had been walking with buckets of water for the lacrosse players.

From this very brief retelling of this event in the story of the Great Law, feel free to interpret as you wish. The story is for everyone. However, the point cannot be ignored that often we human beings, Onkwehonwe or otherwise, often can be easily distracted by something or someone very attractive, shiny, rare, expensive, pleasuring, profitable, amazing, fun, etc....that we will become busy with pursuit of it, or stand and watch in awe. We might put other things aside just to enjoy whatever it is. We may put too much of our effort into attaining it, being near it, experiencing it, that we all too often hurt the people around us, or neglect them. As in the story it is often the children that are left behind or worse. As adults we have the responsibility of living a life where we are mindful of these things to be good examples for the children to follow. Also in the story we are shown that as a community and Nation we are responsible to each other not to become obsessed with the physical or economic pleasures so that no one is overlooked, neglected, or brushed aside in our own selfishness.