BY: PHIL PRESTON

INDIAN TIME - VOLUME 22 - NUMBER 2 - JANUARY 15, 2004 EDITION

In the Ohen:ton Karihwatekwen (Words That Come Before All Else) speakers will often refer to the waters as the source of all life. The waters are alive and have spirit, and so have the power to nourish, cleanse, and heal us. Every living thing needs water to survive. The Creation Story also stresses water's importance. When Sky Woman fell, the world was covered by water. The animals had to swim deep to the bottom of the ocean to find soil. The world is still covered with far more water than land.

If anyone has ever snapped at you or jokingly told you to go jump in the river, they may have been telling you to take your medicine. This may sound strange, but Longhouse teachings are full of examples where the waters are used as medicine for the Onkwehonwe.

It is said that since times long ago, the Mohawk people have used a full plunge in the nearest river as a daily medicine. In the morning when the air is changing from the night's cool chill to warmer temperatures, this is the powerful time. Our elder brother, the sun, has just risen and begins his daily walk across the sky while the birds sing their morning songs. It is said that this quick dip was done especially among Mohawk men and boys as a special medicine for them.

Examples of water being cleansing are all throughout our stories and traditions. For instance, when a child will not listen, is causing a fuss, or misbehaving in some way, many parents will splash water in that child's face. Sometimes a parent will even take that child to a sink, or running water source, and drench the child's face in order to teach a lesson. Usually this does the trick.

The waters are stronger than the human being and should never be abused. As related by another elder, even the way we gather up water from the river needs to be considered. It is better to scoop out the water following with the current than it is to force the water to be caught in a bucket against the flow. "Going with the flow" method follows the water's natural movement and power, thereby showing respect, unlike what we do by building dams and locks.

I learned to say "Nia:wen" every time I drink a glass of water, whether my first glass in the morning, or throughout the day. We always give thanks to the waters. Most people I know that follow the tradition of jumping in the river will usually only take that medicine dip in the summers, since we are not as resilient and hardy as our ancestors. Europeans were definitely amazed by this medicine swim and found it strange. Indeed one of the first Colonial laws against Native peoples was to prevent daily bathing. Onkwehonwe (Native people) would bathe daily, even if just a quick dip in the water, so long as you bathed everyday for cleanliness. Europeans thought daily bathing was bad for the skin and body. No wonder Europeans had to invent perfume.