Instructions. Those Instructions have become our shared

respect and love. By sharing, we all survive and human

memories about how humans are to conduct themselves

life can continue.

on this land we call North America. These Instructions

provide a frame of reference for looking at our

3. Humans have been asked to respect the life's breath

relationship to the sacred universe our first extended

that enters our bodies and allows us to exist. Life is a

family. The celestial beings are our relatives. They are alive

precious gift of time and we need to continually be

with spirit, just as we are. We are connected to a great

thankful for what has been provided for us. All that is

web of life. In that life there is no racism, no prejudice, no

required for a happy and healthy life is already in front

discrimination. There is only the common human duty to

of us. We need to show respect toward each other's

do good in the world.

individuality. We need to show respect for the sacred

The Original Instructions also discuss our relationship

landscape in which we live. We need to respect

to the earth, our original mother, who continues to

ourselves and live in a peaceful and contributing way.

support us as we walk about. Our long term health and

Humans have a critical role in the well being of the

well being are dependent upon the health and well being

universe, and if we carry the thoughts of love, sharing

of the earth. Our Instructions also explain our

and respect, we can give the future generations not

relationship to the plants, animals, fish, birds and other

only hope, but a way to fulfill that hope.

creatures with whom we share this great place of life. Our

shared memories of the past explain very clearly the

With that as a background, I find it difficult to express

relationship of people to one another. This web of life

the full nature of the changes that have been brought to

includes all living creatures, all peoples of the world.

our land and people in the last five centuries. Nearly all

In many ways, relationships between people,

that we believe about life has been exterminated,

communities, cultures and nations are predicated upon

threatened, or suffered from lack of attention. It is a sad

three simple values:

and troubling story to recall.

I will try to share some of my personal thoughts about

1. We are to love each other as if we are members of one

our shared memories of the contact between our peoples.

large, extended family. However, our concept of family

Some of the memories are great moments of love, sharing

is not to have a father in charge of the wife and

and respect. Others are not so good. Too often the

children. Instead, the whole family is interconnected,

memory of the darker times can create a prison for our

dependent upon each member to fulfill their

emotions, as we have inherited much historical grief.

responsibilities to the well being of the entire family.

Thinking of those values we have for human survival,

Men and women are meant to be equal partners in this

imagine what it must have been like the first time the

life. Elders represent the collective wisdom and

Mohawk people heard the French guns blast their hot

experience of how to live on the land. Children are the

metal in 1609. French settlers Samuel De Champlain,

best hope that the wisdom of the elders will continue.

along with some allied Native Americans, attacked the

When humans realize that we are all related, we can

Mohawks and after the smoke cleared, several lay dead,

come to one mind on matters, building healthy

including three chiefs. The killing of the  men of peace 

relationships and living a healthy life. By loving one

had a profound impact on the Haudenosaunee.

another, we can assure that the future generations will

It is not that killing did not exist before. In fact, the

be born into a world where reason replaces violence.

Haudenosaunee has one of the greatest traditions of

peace, not because everyone was full of love, sharing, and

2. We are meant to share with one another. We look to

respect. Just the opposite. Our people were caught in a

the land as a huge bowl that provides life giving

seemingly endless cycle of hatred, violence, and war. Our

foods and medicines so that human life can continue.

Great Law of Peace brought that strife to an end when

We share one spoon to eat from that bowl. Each will

people remembered the values of the Original

take what they need, not wasting what is left. Food and

Instructions. By keeping the peace in mind, and treating

medicine do not belong to any one person. They were

everyone with respect and making sure that justice

provided for the well being of all. We should not be

prevails, we can have what we call the Good Mind.

charging money for the gifts of nature, nor should we

Perhaps it is human nature to forget such things,

hoard the resources for our own. We need to respect

especially when times are good. It takes hard work to keep

the fact that food and medicine are sacred gifts of life,

the peace. It takes a strong mind to overcome heartache

meant to be shared. By sharing we teach cooperation,

and tragedy.

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