White House officials greet representatives of the Haudenosaunee Grand Council

A Haudenosaunee delegation met at the White House on Monday, February 22, 2016, to discuss matters of importance to the Confederacy.

Bob Antone, the Chairperson of the Haudenosaunee External Relations Committee, said the event honored the 222 Anniversary of the Canandaigua Treaty 1794. “The delegation received the treaty cloth signifying the spirit of the treaty and acknowledgement of the Haudenosaunee as a treaty party,” said Antone. 

President George Washington had a belt made to ratify a treaty with the Haudenosaunee, Canandaigua, to end the quarrels between them. Together they shall live in peace and friendship forever.

Officials from within the U.S. government’s Department of the Interior returned the invitational wampum using Haudenosaunee protocols such as the ‘Three Bare Words’, which is the Ceremony of Condolence, and is the threshold to peace. The words are to clear they eyes, ears and throat of those who have traveled.

The delegation also expressed that they would like to meet and discuss issues surrounding Haudenosaunee Passports, ID cards and several other items of importance. According to Antone, several years ago the Grand Council had sent out a message wampum, which was a common practice 200 years ago and is meant to invite other governments to meet and discuss issues.

Antone said they delegation was told by officials that President Barack Obama touched the wampum, acknowledged it and gave it back. 

“It was mostly a ceremonial gathering, but a lot of good political will was exchanged and we are expected to meet again at least two more times by fall. We have also invited President Obama to Grand Council,” said Antone.

History: The Haudenosaunee Confederacy – the Grand Council is the world’s oldest representative democracy.

With 50 Chiefs in total representing all the clans from all the nations, they work to resolve disputes and plan for the welfare of all the people. As stated by the Peacemaker, Onondaga stands as the fire keepers for the Grand Council. Grand Council Chiefs are divided into Elder Brothers and Younger Brothers with the Mohawks, Onondagas and Senecas making up the Elder Brothers with the Cayugas and Oneidas as the Younger Brothers.

The Tuscaroras who joined the league after the original joining have no voice within Grand Council and can only speak if it will help the nations. When they do have an issue to be discussed it is voiced through the Cayugas.

Akwesasne TV, Regan Jacobs.

ATV is sponsored in part by: