Growing up, going to school, my favorite course was
American History. At that time, I was not interested in history that was past
the 1880’s era. I was mostly interested in 17th and 18th
century history with a lesser interest in the upper 1800’s. Although I did and
still continue to read books from that era as well. I have a great respect for
books like “When Buffalo Ran” by George Bird Grinnell, as well as the book “Geronimo”
{actual native name Goyahkla},
by Charles Morrow Wilson as well as
others. I however like the afore mentioned era’s better. With this in mind,
during my formative years in this class, I was taught as most were, that the
Iroquois Confederacy, the Hau de no sau nee (ho dee noe sho nee), were a big
part to the development of the country that we live in today. However, I didn’t
realize how much more instrumental this really was. This governance of this confederacy,
was an actual true democracy that is still being taught today. However, the
United States cannot state this as being the same. The Iroquois League were so
instrumental that they even gave a native name to John Hancock, the president
of the U.S. Congress, http://www.ratical.org/many_worlds/6Nations/.
I think that I learned something very valuable in that if you go to this site
as well as other links associated, you can find some very in-depth aspects of
all of these nations that are members of the confederation. I especially like
the link that will take you to the Mohawk Nations site, and where there is a very
intense effort to teach the Mohawk language to the members. I believe that it
would be a shame to lose another language in our society. Think how much we can
still learn from the confederation and how much we as a society as a whole can
benefit.
Hi Kirk = nice blog. Do you think your interest in history / timeframe has something to do with where you are from? Perhaps if you lived in Alaska or Southwest maybe other timeframes would interest you? Nice connection that all Americans should know - the impact of the Iroquois League on the creation of our government.
ReplyDeleteThank you Nicole. I believe that you are right. I think that I like research and that because I have a very strong interest in history, that this makes a big difference. I also think that you are right that I have a very strong sense of where I live. However, I think that I my interests also include other areas of the continent as well. I really like historical minded novels. The one author that I like is Louis LaMour. I guess that my reasoning would have to be that he it is said actually retraced his families history. From the native nations to the places that he wrote about, everything was like stepping into his shoes and seeing the places and meeting the people that he wrote about.
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ReplyDeleteFor next blog remember these two suggestions:
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Consider adding additional links to text.
Also, have fun :-)
My next blog is about the Treaty of Canandaigua. This treaty can be considered as the one of the if not the actual oldest known treaties still in existence today in the United States. The treaty states that the duties of the Haudenosaunee {Iroquois}and the United States are explained clearly. November 11, 1794 the grand council of the six nations entered into treaty negotiations with Timothy Pickering, who was the representative of President George Washington. The treaty states that each nation would be considered as a sovereign nation and that these nations would respect the laws and freedom of governing their own peoples. The negotiations stated that the U.S. government would restore the land of each of the respective nations of the Iroquois, and that the encroachment by individuals of each nation would respect each others laws. The U.S. in return got the right to build a portage or wagon road between Lakes Ontario and Erie. The U.S. would send annually a $4500.00 annuity of cloth to make sure that the treaty was still active. The nations receive this to this day. The treaty also states that the 6 nations would only deal with the president of the United States or with the representative of the president. This is still done today as well. When there is a question of wrongs that have been and more than likely will continue to be perpetrated by any member of each respective nation, then the offender will be dealt with by each individuals council. For example when toxic wastes were dumped on Seneca territory, the president sent in the EPA to clean it up. This was done by request of the grand council to the president. It was found out that a Delaware company was believed to be responsible and that they were billed by the U.S. On the flip side, when a couple of members shot at a helicopter flying over Mohawk territory, the council made reparations to the U.S. and the people responsible were punished. The reason that I feel that this treaty is important today as it was when it was made, is the fact that the recognition of both nations were established. It shows that there can be cooperation between natives and other nations throughout the world. I believe that the simple language written then should be as simple today in all treaties and that all nations can learn by this treaty.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ganondagan.org/portals/0/Images/treaty-photo.jpg
http://www.ganondagan.org/
http://www.oswego.edu/library2/archives/digitized_collections/granger/canandaigua.html