We are the Haudenosaunee
The Testimony of the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee)
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7m 7s
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.
Up Next in The Testimony of the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee)
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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.
