The Testimony of the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee)
Digital Wampum - Wampum belts were what the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) created to enshrine and commemorate treaties or historical events. As such, the Haudenosaunee have many wampum belts that are over 1,000 years old and several that commemorate the first contact with the Europeans. Today, the Iroquois are fighting several battles, they are still fighting to maintain their sovereignty with the United States; they are still fighting for recognition as human beings from the Vatican, trying to reverse the Doctrine of Discovery that has been in place since the late 1400s; and they are trying to raise awareness around how humans live on the earth, as their prophecies tell of oncoming disastrous weather due to extreme climate change. It is within this context that this project is born.
The Iroquois are stepping up in the “last stand” to explain the wholeness of their vision of the earth and how humans can live in harmony with the earth to last many generations into the future. They are doing this through this project, the Digital Wampum belt. The narrative of the project as it has emerged has been presented and accepted by the Iroquois. The narrative includes the need for an understanding about humanity’s stewardship of the earth and the urgency to find solutions to climate change. This needs to be an agreement between this generation and future generations.
Purpose - The Iroquois are embarking on an historic project about the 500-year history of the Iroquois, their relationship with Europe and America and their prophesies that, if heard, can help us navigate the oncoming changes due to climate change. This series of short films creates the space for the Iroquois to tell their story as they strive to uphold the traditions and the legacy of their people while also protecting the central tenents of their people and their relationship and care for the Earth.
This series was created by Tree Media in collaboration with Oren Lyons, Sid Hill and the Haudenosaunee. This series was created with the support of the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation and with the support of Executive Producer Oliver Stanton.
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We are the Haudenosaunee
The Haudenosaunee Confederacy — Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora — is one of the oldest democracies on Earth. Built on peace, fairness, and the good mind, it endures despite land loss, forced removals, and erasure. This episode is a living declaration: we are still here.
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The Peacemaker and the Tadadaho
In ancient times, the Peacemaker united warring nations by transforming Tadadaho — a feared, twisted leader — through a song of peace. From this came the Great Tree, its roots spreading in all directions, sheltering those who seek unity. The Great Law of Peace was born.
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Value Change for Survival
Global warming, melting glaciers, unstoppable beetles. The message is simple: you cannot negotiate with nature. The Haudenosaunee call for a shift in values — away from profit and toward survival, balance, and responsibility to the seventh generation.
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The Doctrine of Discovery
In 1493, the Doctrine of Discovery declared that non-Christian peoples had no title to their own land — only the right to occupy it like animals. This doctrine became U.S. law in 1823 and still shapes court decisions today. Most Americans don’t know. It’s time they did.
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Where the Willows meet the Water
An ancient gathering place, Where the Willows Meet the Water was once pure and life-giving. Today, its beaches close for toxic algae, its creatures drink poison without knowing. This episode confronts what we’ve done to water — and what we must restore.
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Iroquois: Originators of Lacross
For the Haudenosaunee, lacrosse is more than sport. It is ceremony, identity, and healing — a gift from the Creator. From wooden sticks in cradles to world championships, Haudenosaunee athletes carry forward the original game, playing for their people and their sovereignty.
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Scalp Lock
Often blamed on Native people, scalping began in Europe, where bounties were paid for heads, ears, and finally locks of hair. The Haudenosaunee wore scalp locks as a challenge — a mark of defiance and survival in times of brutal colonial warfare.
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The Last Prophecies
The Haudenosaunee were warned of coming changes: violent storms, poisoned waters, fire in rivers. Today, these prophecies echo in climate crisis and ecological collapse. The last mandate is clear — protect the Earth for future generations, or lose it all.
