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The American Indian

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The League of the Six Nations was formed by Hiawatha about 1400 A.D. at what is now Syracuse, New York. Its laws and principles inspired Benjamin Franklin to use them as a model for the constitution of the United States.



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The Mohawks, in the shadow of the great trees, were the first nation. They were war-like and mighty.



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The Oneidas, who lean their bodies against the everlasting, immovable rock, were the second nation. They gave good counsel.



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The Onandagas, living by the great mountain, were the third nation. They were greatly gifted in speech and powerful in war.



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The Cayugas were the fourth nation. They lived in the dark forest. Their home was everywhere. They possessed superior cunning in hunting.



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The Senecas were the fifth nation. They lived in the open country, possessing much wisdom and the art of making cabins and raising corn and beans.



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Later the Tuscoraras were added. They symbolized the growth of the league.



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The story of the birth of Hiawatha is like that of Jesus and Buddha. Each Mother was first visited by a Great Spirit from above.



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Hiawatha was raised by his grandmother, Nokomis, who taught him the mystic lore of the kinship of the Indian with all of Nature's kingdoms.



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Hiawatha's wooing is the story of his love for Minnehaha, the lovely Dakotah maiden, and her love for him.



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The famine tells the death of Minnehaha and the tragic loss mourned by all nature.



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Picture writing tells how the Indian recorded his religion and history with symbols identical to those of people all over the world.



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When the white man came to the Indian he was fed and sheltered.



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When Hiawatha's mission was completed he sailed in his canoe over the sunset path in the water to his home with the Great Spirit.



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In the Lodge of the Red Star, we have met and renewed our allegiance to the tribes -- to the warrior forces of the Universal Chief of Life. His war lance is the flaming sun. His peace pipe is the silvery moon. His lance has many points as the sands of the sea, and no one can escape them. When the Great Chief lights his pipe at night and passes it to his brothers, the Star Men, great rings and wreaths of light glow in the sky. This is the voiceless chant of peace that bears to the Great Spirit the message that all is well with his world Children. And the Great Spirit lights another star with love; another soul glows with the fires of hope and faith in the Master Chief, whose songs of life and sweetness fill the cabins of the tribes.



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Hiawatha, like Jonah, is swallowed by a great fish which he then kills from the inside. They are washed ashore and all Nature has a great feast.



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Hiawatha slays the fiery serpents guarding the mystic river he travels. In the Bible, too, fiery serpents guard, protect, and torment.



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As with David and Goliath, Hiawatha battles the West Wind to a finish. Hiawatha is being tested to prove his ability to lead his people.



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The Word of God is the bread of Life. This story tells how the Indian got the seed of corn from a Great Spirit in green and gold from the sky.



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Kabiibonokka is the North Wind. His white fire is fierce. His realm is the Land of the White Rabbit. He brings strength to all.



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Shawondasee is the South Wind. His red color brings the water of growth to nature. His warmth brings comfort to all growing things and creatures.



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Wabun ruled the East Wind. His silver arrows dispel the darkness and wake the earth to life. His color is yellow.



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The West Wind is Mudjekeewis, who stole the collar of Fire from the Great Bear. He is the ruler of mind and the air.