Good Morning from Karen Kay aka Gen Bailey!
Let me say from the start that I’ll be giving away a free copy of the book, RED HAWK’S WOMAN for some lucky blogger today. Now, for all of you who tend to follow my blogs at petticoats and pistols, you’ll know that I’ve been talking about the incredible Iroquois Confederacy quite a bit. With my most recent book (SENECA SURRENDER) having come out only a few weeks ago — a book that deals with the Iroquois (the Seneca in particular), I have a lot to share, I think.
The eagle here is the symbol of the Iroquois Confederation, and is supposed to be on watch for any who would try to bring the Confederacy down. So i thought it might be a good way to start this blog.
Long ago, and it appears that it was as long ago as August 31st, 1142 AD, the Iroquois Confederacy was founded. It is dated by an eclipse. Some historicans date it later “” around 1451 and others dated later “” depending on the eclipse. But for me, I believe that it was founded August 31st, 1142 AD. The reason I say this is because when the white man first met representatives of the Iroquois Confederation, notation was made (and this was in 1600’s) that the Confederation was many, many centuries old.
This picture by the way is an artist’s rendition of Hiawatha, one of the founders of the Iroquois Confederation. Long ago “” back in 1142 AD “” there were problems with brother vs brother, clan vs clan, tribe vs tribe. Wars were fought to avenge a dead relative “” the dead themselves urging their loved ones on to avenge them. Imagine ““someone is killed through evil doing or through a mistake. A clan member then kills a member of the offending clan “” this is then repeated by the “offending clan,” which is then repeated over and over and over. Two men, the Peacemaker and Hiawatha (the real one, not the one of Longfellow’s poem) came together to ease the suffering not only of the one who had lost a loved one, but to ease the suffering of the dead, as well, for it was known to them that the dead often spurred on the living “” and they sought to end war forever.
They introduced a beautiful ceremony called the Condolence ceremony that “” using strings of wampum “” would wipe away the grief of the deceased and his relatives and bring about in him a good frame of mind. They would say the Three Bare Words that would relieve one of his grief and would open up his eyes and his heart to the beauty of the sky. Thus, they would wipe away the insanity of grief (this is what the Peacemaker and Hiawatha called grief “” an insanity “” for it makes a person do deeds that he normally wouldn’t do) “” and by wiping away one’s grief, one would wipe away war forever from the face of what they called Turtle Island (America).
Here is an example of wampum (white and purple beads) obtained from the website www.wampumchronicles.com . How many governments can you name that were started not by war, but to end war forever? And how successful were they? The Peacemaker and Hiawatha set up a government that was made By the People, Of the People, and For the People, long before our own American government was set into place. There are certain laws within the Iroquois Conferation that were set down by the Peacemaker long, long ago. From all calculations, it appears that this Confederation lived in relative peace for over 500 years before it began to crumble. 500 hundred years. Wow!
This picture by the way if of Grandfather George Randall, who lives with us. He is a Native American actor and elder.
Okay, so not until the incoming Europeans came to America did the Iroquois Confederation begin to crumble. The cause? There were many causes apparently. Propaganda from the incoming culture, pitting brother against brother in wars that the Europeans brought with them. Not only the English, but the French and the Dutch went from town to town amongst the Indians, village to village, to recruit Indians to fight for them in their causes. Also, incoming priests began to divide brother against brother and the French and Indian war “” particularly the battle at St. George “” pitted Mohawk against Mohawk “” a condition that the Peacemaker and Hiawatha warned against.
There were also problems with trade. The Iroquois became dependent on the trade goods from England and Holland and France. This again pitted tribe against tribe bringing with it war after war after war, whereas before the coming of the European, the place called Turtle Island had been built on relative peace and independence and liberty, as well as built on love. And as we all know, love is a potent force in this world of ours. I wish there were more of it, and perhaps more understandings between peoples as well.
America has a long tradition of freedom, independence and liberty. It was here, put here by or by wish or a postulate, if you will, long, long ag. And it was put here by two men who desired to wipe away grief from the world at large and thus bring about an end to war. It’s a beautiful start; it’s a beautiful thought. And may I add my own wish to it: May that postulate (decision/wish) go on and on and on and may no tyranny ever come to roost here on what the Iroquois knew as Turtle Island.
![Seneca+Surrender[1]](http://petticoatsandpistols.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Seneca+Surrender1-183x300.jpg)
So I hope you have enjoyed this little bit of history. I find it utterly beautiful and very inspiring. Please come on in and tell me your thoughts. Again I will be giving away a copy of the book RED HAWK’S WOMAN to some lucky blogger today who leaves a comment here. Also this give-away is applicable only to the several states of the United States.
SENECA SURRENDER is a story about passion and revenge, as well as indentured servatude, as WHITE THUNDER, a reclusive Seneca Indian, rescues the maiden, Sarah. As they come to know each other, they hope to find an enduring love. But it’s not to be, because at this time and place, it is forbidden. If you haven’t already picked up a copy of SENECA SURRENDER, please do so today.
Hi, Kay! The highly structured societies and governing bodies of Native American Culture are ever fascinating! I truly believe that the key to our future existence, and to peace in our present day lives, is to be found in the past. Please continue to enlighten and entertain us : )
Hi Virginia C. So nice to see you here today. Like you, I do believe that part of history is learning the what cause produced what effect. Otherwise we seem doomed to repeat the same mistakes over and over and over. Thanks for coming here to the blog today.
My husband is half Iraquois/half Polish, believe it or not. Funny thing, I have Sioux blood in me. 🙂
Thanks for ther history.
Hi Sapphire!
Beautiful name, by the way. Half Iroquois and half Polish? Wow! Sounds like a handsome mixture to me. 🙂
As a writer who includes lots of Native American legends and culture in her stories, your book sounds like one I’d definitely like to curl up with!
Hi Liz! Really? Like you, I love the legends and I love romance — the two combined are almost irrestistible to me. 🙂
I really enjoyed the history lesson and I love these kind of books. They don’t have to be romantic in nature for me to read them. You can learn so much. I will be telling my daughters this little bit of history. I remember in 5th grade we had to choose a tribe and do a report/presentation including a reperduction(sp?) of what they lived it…. I look forward to reading your books. Thanks again!!!!
Hi Brandy! Like you, books don’t have to have a romanctic element for me to read them — especially American Indian books. But it’s always a treat when there is that element of romance in the books, also.
I love that you’ll be telling your daughters a bit of this history. It’s interesting to me that I didn’t learn it in school, and yet it is so American and so central to our country and our idea of freedom. Thanks for your post.
Instead of tribe I guess maybe I sould have said we got to pick different native american nations, sorry I don’t know if that is politically correct either, I don’t want to offend… 😳
Hi Brandy!
You know, sometimes I think all this “political correctness” has done nothing more than make us leary of speaking our minds, as our Founding Fathers wanted us to be able to do. I loved your post and I understand your concern, but like Thoreau, I believe that all men should be able to voice their thoughts and that while I may not always agree with what a person says, I will defend to the death his right to speak his ideas and his thoughts. It’s part of our heritage — to speak/write our thoughts and to be able to speak or write upon the thoughts of others.
Hi Karen, I know all 3 of my daughters have also had this assignment in school only they got to draw the home, wereas I had to actually make it. We are from a very small community in the midwest and I have helped awnser questions, since it is added to the new texts but not to the degree it used to be. My daughters have some native blood on there dad’s side, Cherokee and Incan from South America, so they love to watch and learn its history and folk stories. On my side it is pretty much Irish with a little varying European influence, I say that because there are to many to mention, lol It’s been great talking with you!!!!
Hi Brandy!
That’s great that the smaller communities and schools go out of their way to teach these things. I must admit that like your kids, I have a smattering of a lot of different heritages. Irish, English, Dutch, American Indian and something else that escapes me right now. 🙂 Thanks so much for coming to the blog today. 🙂
I’ve always been fascinated by the history and customs of the first settlers in North America…I loved reading about them in history class in high school & university…learning about the various tribes and their struggles…
Hi Anna!
Me, too! The only thing that bothers me is that I didn’t learn any of this in school, and yet it’s so much a part of what makes us American. But, oh well, it is said that history belongs to the victors. At least here in this country, one can go to the library or other sources and get all the history and info they want — of course, some of the history is lies, as I’ve learned to my chagrin. So one must keep an eye to the writer of that history. : ) Thanks for stopping by today. : )
I really enjoyed reading the information about the Iroquois Confederation…thanks for bringing it to us… I’ve always enjoyed reading about Native Americans and our early History.
Hi Jackie!
You are very welcome. Like I said, I found it completely fascinating. I’m glad that you did, too. : )
Very interesting information about the Iroquois – to be honest, I never realized that Hiawatha actually lived. I figured he was just a character in a poem (blushing furiously). One of my best friends is part Cherokee and the culture of her people is fascinating. Thankfully she enjoys telling me about it 🙂
Hi Debbie!
I hadn’t either, Debbie, and I pride myself on my history and such. 🙂 The Hiawatha in the poem and the real Hiawatha are two different people. The Hiawatha in the poem is based on a legend of a god of the…can’t remember the tribe now — but it was based on his adventures. The Cherokee are a beautiful people. Nathan Kamp, the good-looking fellow on my cover has Cherokee heritage I’ve been told. 🙂 Very handsome, indeed.
Very interesting post. Your book sounds great. Would love to read.
Hi Runner10! Thank you so much. There will be a drawing for — I think it’s Black Eagle later tonight. 🙂
Hi GladysMP!
I saw your comment on the comments section under the Carina Press Launch, but I had a feeling your comments were for my post, so I’m answering them here. Anyway, yes, indeed, the tribes were so diverse and so different — even languages — but they all shared one thing in common, they valued honesty and honor above many other things.
In our materialistic world today, I so often wish this were still the case. It is so with many, but it isn’t valued so much anymore.
I think we could all learn a lot from the Indians. I wish we had more of their heritage than the Puritans!! And you have such gorgeous covers!
Remember seeing pictures of my great-great grandmother with her corncob pipe; not sure what part that makes me but it apparently is large enough, strong enough for me to feel like you all do; learning about the Native Americans has been a fascination of mine for years-I just have never had much time to do anything about it until now. Your books are great. thanks
Hi Catslady!
I’m not sure why your post hasn’t shown up here yet — but I so agree with you on our heritage. We owe a debt not only to our wise, wise Founding Fathers, but to our American Indian Founding Fathers, also. 😉
Hi Barbara!
I’m not sure why your post isn’t showing up here yet, either, but know that I’ve seen it and so agree with you. A corncob pipe. Wow!
Thanks for your compliments and it’s wonderful that we share a desire to learn more about these things.
WE HAVE TWO WINNERS!!!! (We drew two names at once.)
They are: Sapphire Phelan and Virginia C. Please do email me separately at karenkay.author@earthlink.net so we can decide what book you’ll be receiving. : )