Time after time, Indian people across the continent have gone through the experience of being uprooted against their will. They had known the same grief of losing their ancestors’ graves- THEIR HISTORY. All Indians shared the same thing in common: a treaty signed at some point in the past guaranteeing them possession of their land FOREVER- “as long as the grass is green and the water runs” the phrase went. But if it became inconvenient to someone influential, (which usually happened sooner or later) the treaty had a way of being brushed aside - FORGOTTEN.

‘Your Forefathers crossed the Great waters and landed on this Island.
Their numbers were small.
We took pity on them, and they sat down among us.
We gave them corn and meat.
They gave us Poison in return.’
-SAGOYEWATHA (Red Jacket)
Seneca

'There was a time when our Forefather owned this great Island.
The Great Spirit had made it for the use of Indians.
He had created the buffalo, the deer and other animals for food.
He had made the bear and beaver.
Their skins served us for clothing.
He had scattered them over the country, and taught
us how to take care of them.
He had caused the Earth to produce corn for bread.'
-Red Jacket, Seneca

'They will forget their old laws;
they will barter theeir country for baubles.
Then will disease eat the life from their blood.'
-HANISSE’ONO, the evil one,
from Iroquois legend

'You think that the Axe-Makers are
the eldest in the country and the greatest in possession.
We Human Beings are the first, and we are the eldest and the greatest.
These parts and countries were inhabited and trod upon by the Human Beings
before there were any Axe-Makers.'
-SADEKANAKTIE, Onondaga

'We know our lands are now become more valuable.
The White people think we do not know their value; but we are sensible
that the land is everlasting, and the few goods we receive for it are soon
worn out and gone'
-CANASATEGO, Onondaga

'We cannot intermeddle in this dispute between two brothers.
The quarrel seems unnatural. If the Great King of England
apply to us for aid, we shall deny him; If the colonies apply, we shall refuse.'
-Oneida delegation to governor of Connecticut, 1776

'The Mohawks have on all occasions shown their zeal and loyalty to the Great King;
yet they have been very badly treated by his people. Indeed it is very hard, when we have let the
King’s subjects have so much of our lands for so little value. We are tired out in making complaints
and getting no redress.' - THAYENDANEGEA (Joseph Brant) Mohawk, 1776

'Every man of us thought that,
by fighting for the King, we should ensure
for ourselves and children a good inheritance.'
-Joseph Brant, Mohawk

'You have now become a great people, and we have scarcely a place left to spread our blankets. You have got our country now, but you are not satisfied. You want to force your religion upon us. We are told that you have been preaching to the white people in this place. These people are our neighbors. We wil wait a little while and see what effect your preaching has upon them. If we find it does them good, makes them honest and less disposed to cheat Indians, we will consider again what you have said.'
-Red Jacket, Seneca to Protestant Missionaries

(The following was written to George Washington after order a massive sweep of Iroquois Country in 1779. Washington ordered “Not merely be overrun but destroyed”)

'When your army entered the country of the Six Nations, we called you CAUNOTAUCARIUS, the TOWN DESTROYER, and to this day when that name is heard, our women look behind them and turn pale, and our children cling to the knees of their mothers.
Our councilors and warriors are men and cannot be afraid; but their hearts are grieved with the fears of their women and children, and desire that it may be buried so deep as to be heard no more.
When you gave us peace, We called you Father, because you promised to secure us in possession of our lands. Do this and so long as the lands shall remain, the beloved name will remain in the heart of every Seneca.'
-Cornplanter, Seneca. To George Washington, 1790.

Broken Treaties (in the 1960’s)
'WE are united in urging Congress to support the treaty made
in 1794 and refuse to give authority for the destruction of Indian Homes.'
-Seneca Council

'Our religion is not
one of paint and feather;
it is a thing of the Heart.'

Native American's

Cyndi's list of NA sites

Copyright ©1998 by Lisa Cleversey. All Rights Reserved

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