A Story Of The Iroquois League
This new children's book "A Peacemaker for Warring Nations: The Founding of the Iroquois League" is based upon traditional legends about how five warring tribes were able to come together long ago to form the stable, peaceful Iroquois League centering in what became upstate New York. The five tribes are the Mohawk, Onondaga, Cayuga, Oneida, and Seneca. The book is intended primarily for children ages 10 -- 14. Joseph Bruchac, a native author and storyteller wrote the text and David Kanietaker Fadden a native artist prepared the beautiful illustrations.
Set in the mists of time, the story begins when five strong nations had forgotten the teachings they received from the Creator: "to treat all things with respect -- to always give thanks for the many gifts of life." The five nations were in a state of perpetual war with one another and with other nations. The Creator sends a mysterious Peacemaker to lead the five nations back to the way of unity and peace.
This book recounts the Peacemaker's difficult, beautiful, and complex journey towards restoring peace. It is presented both as a legend and as something of a political fable for the present. The Peacemaker over time approaches the leaders of each tribe and slowly wins their assent to lay down their arms and join together in peace. He also changes the structure of each tribe and of the resulting league by giving a council of women a leading role in governance. The male leaders are appointed by and accountable to the women for their actions. It is worth noting how this social structure is both like and unlike current ideas about gender. The arrangement appears contemporary in providing a leadership role for women. It is also importantly different in that traditional gender roles and differences are maintained. The men do not participate in the council of women and the women do not assume the leadership roles held by the men.
The book shows the obstacles the Peacemaker faces with each tribe and tribal leader in fulfilling the will of the Creator and how these differences are overcome. There are many lovely evocative passages in the story which include much material for thought. For example, here are the Peacemaker's words in forming the Council of Women:
"I have come here to bring a message of peace. When I end warfare, you will have a new role. You and the headwomen of the different clans will choose the leaders and they will abide by your will. We will build a Longhouse of One Family and its light will shine throughout the world. You will be the mother of all the nations when the Great Tree of Peace has been planted."
Just before the final tribe agrees to join the League in peace, the Peacemaker explains how the League will operate:
"We must speak with one voice.... Let us create a nation where everyone listens to whoever speaks, knowing that they will have their own chance to speak in turn. We will come together with the Mohawks and Senecas on on side of the fire and the Cayugas and Oneidas on the other side. Ideas will be passed back and forth in a formal way across the fire until everyone is in agreement. To make sure everyone is understood, we will make Mohawk our common language when we come together in council."
When the League is formed the Peacemaker observes with great ceremony that "Alone one arrow may be easily broken. But together, like our Five Nations, they are strong. United in peace, we will be so strong that others would rather join us than take up arms against us."
Both children and adults will be inspired by this book. It is intended for children old enough to read for themselves. Some of the events and concepts in this book will be difficult for children and for older readers as well to follow. There is much material for discussion in a family or classroom setting.
This book is published by Wisdom Tales, which specializes in books for children with spiritual and religious themes from around the world. I have learned a great deal from reading and reviewing Wisdom Tales titles the past several years. Readers of all ages will learn from this story of the Iroquois League. Wisdom Tales kindly sent me a review copy of this book.
Robin Friedman
