Iroquois History and Legends

There is no Thanksgiving Day in Haudenosaunee society.  Instead it is a lifestyle that needs to be put into practice on a daily basis.  In this short supplemental we cover a traditional Mohawk prayer of Thanksgiving that is recited at gatherings and celebrations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

During a Delaware invasion into Cayuga territory, the area peoples rally to defeat a foe bent on revenge. The battle will culminate at the edge of the highest waterfall on this side of the continent.  Sources: Retold, based on the account by Rev. D. H. Hamilton The falls of Taughannock : containing a complete description of this the highest fall in the state of New York. With historical and descri...

In 1799 a Seneca man lay on his death bed.  But remarkably he recovered very quickly.  Then he began sharing with others that he thought that the Great Spirit had visited him. For the rest of his life Handsome Lake would begin a religious revival amongst his people. Sources: The Code of Handsome Lake arranged by Ely Parker and republished by Arthur C. Parker GUYASUTA AND THE FALL OF INDIAN AMERICA...

This time we will be doing a short biography on the life of Cornplanter the Seneca General.  He went from feared enemy of the United States to a powerful diplomat working with President Washington to ensure peace and friendship between their two peoples. Sources: GUYASUTA AND THE FALL OF INDIAN AMERICA BY BRADY J. CRYTZER An Account of Sa-go-ye-wat-ha, Or Red Jacket, and His People, 1750-1830 By J...

After the Treaty of Big Tree Red Jacket takes a very anti-Christian and anti-American world view.  His later life is marked by triumphs in defending his nation and personal tragedy.  In his final years his views on Christianity begin to change.  Listen for the conclusion of this two part series and see how he saved the Seneca homeland from complete liquidation. Sources: An Account of Sa-go-ye-wat-...

Otetiani, also called Sagoyewatha was born into the Wolf Clan in the Seneca Nation around 1750.  His remarkable 80 years was filled with on goal.  To always advocate on behalf of his people.  This is part one in a two part series. Sources: An Account of Sa-go-ye-wat-ha, Or Red Jacket, and His People, 1750-1830 By John Niles Hubbard THE CANADIAN ENCYCLOPEDIA THE PAPERS OF SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON BY WIL...

The 1794 Treaty of Canandaigua is one of the most important treaties in the history of the Haudenosaunee.  It guarantees the rights of sovereignty for the Six Nations, while at the same time making huge land concessions.  It is a treaty that has faced numerous violations throughout it's 200+ year existence.  However, it is still one of the oldest unbroken agreements in United States history. Sourc...

On this very special first day of the April month Learn about three famous members of the Wannabe Indian Tribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following the American Revolution dozens of Indigenous Nations are left to fend for themselves as British support evaporated.  But from 1791 to 1792 the Ohio peoples would win battle after battle and not just win in those conflicts but wipeout entire American Armies. Sources: The Presidentail Papers of President George Washington The Papers of Sec. of War Henry Knox GUYASUTA AND THE FALL OF INDIAN...

Simon Girty was a man larger than life.  To Americans he was a vile traitor who killed the innocent with his savage friends. To the British he was a rough drunk but a useful tool.  To the Iroquois and other Ohio Nations he was a prodigal son who was raised as a Brave and then returned to fight for his adopted people's freedom.   NOTES ON THE STATE OF VIRGINIA BY THOMAS JEFFERSON GUYASUTA AND THE F...

How would you fare in your faith when you are faced with certain death?  In 1782 a community of Lenape (Delaware) Christians were victims to one of the most heinous acts in American History. Sources: Diary of David Zeisberger by David Zeisberger GUYASUTA AND THE FALL OF INDIAN AMERICA BY BRADY J. CRYTZER SIMON GIRTY - WILDERNESS WARRIOR BY EDWARD BUTTS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo...

After numerous requests we are back with two more Haudenosaunee animal tales.  In the first Turtle leads a war party of misfit animals against Huk-sah, the Jungie.  In the second Brown Owl and Weasel are featured in a dark story of revenge kindercide.  Sources: Reworked and based on traditional Seneca Nation stories.   SKUNNY WUNDY: SENECA INDIAN TALES BY ARTHUR CASWELL PARKER Hosted on Acast. See...

Joseph Brant, Colonel Louis Cook, Walter Butler and Simon Girty deal with the horrors of war and the devastation of the Great Lakes region. Sources: Forgotten Allies: The Oneida Indians and the American Revolution by Joseph T. Glatthaar and James Kirby Martin Joseph Brant, 1743-1807, Man of Two Worlds By Isabel Thompson Kelsay SIMON GIRTY - WILDERNESS WARRIOR BY EDWARD BUTTS   Hosted on Acast. See...

General Washington gave command to John Sullivan in 1779 to outfit and lead an expedition into the Seneca-Cayuga homeland.  It will be a scorched earth campaign that will leave almost the entire population of both the Seneca and Cayuga Nations homeless. Destitute of any food or clothing thousands will head to Fort Niagara for shelter.   Sources: Forgotten Allies: The Oneida Indians and the America...

Spies are everywhere in 1778 on both sides of the conflict.  Joseph Brant leads Iroquois forces against Patriot settlements throughout Upstate New York.  Conversely American and Oneida soldiers launch counter attacks against Brant's supporting towns in Iroquoia. Sources: Forgotten Allies: The Oneida Indians and the American Revolution by Joseph T. Glatthaar and James Kirby Martin The Papers of Gen...

Forty-one members of the Oneida Nation traveled to Valley Forge, PA in the Spring of 1778. General George Washington greeted each individual in person and warmly. The warriors went on to assist the Marquis de Lafayette at the Battle of Barren Hill and Polly Cooper an Oneida woman brings her experience as a cook and healer to the needy Continental Army. Episode 42 is up ready for your ears. Sources...

Following the American-Oneida victory at Fort Stanwix rifts grow deeper within the Six Nations.  Over three-hundred members of the Haudenosaunee gather at Albany for a Conference.  Just as it finishes however word arrives that Burgoyne's British army has crossed the Hudson River at Saratoga. Sources: GUYASUTA AND THE FALL OF INDIAN AMERICA BY BRADY J. CRYTZER Forgotten Allies: The Oneida Indians a...

British General Barry St. Ledger begins the siege of Fort Stanwix August 3, 1777.  American General Herkimer is on his way to help.  Joining him are a group of Oneida led by Two-Kettles-Together (Tyonajanegen) and her husband Han Yerry (Tewahangarahken). Sources: GUYASUTA AND THE FALL OF INDIAN AMERICA BY BRADY J. CRYTZER Forgotten Allies: The Oneida Indians and the American Revolution by Joseph T...

General John Burgoyne and Barry St. Ledger prepare to invade modern New York State from two different directions in 1777.  Burgoyne will attack Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain while St. Ledger and Joseph Brant strike the Americans at Fort Stanwix in the heart of Iroquoia. Sources: GUYASUTA AND THE FALL OF INDIAN AMERICA BY BRADY J. CRYTZER IROQUOIS DIPLOMACY ON THE EARLY AMERICAN FRONTIER BY TI...

With War in North America again imminent how will this Six Nations decide which side to take.  This week we look at Akiatonharonkwen (Joseph Lewis Cook), Thayendanegea (Joseph Brant) and Guyasuta and how they dealt with the gathering storm. Sources: GUYASUTA AND THE FALL OF INDIAN AMERICA BY BRADY J. CRYTZER IROQUOIS DIPLOMACY ON THE EARLY AMERICAN FRONTIER BY TIMOTHY J. SHANNON WITH MUSKET & TOMA...

We begin our series on the American Revolution.  We discuss some of the influences the Six Nations had on the Founding Fathers were leading up to 1776.  Also we say goodbye to Sir William Johnson and see the rise of two Mohawk siblings known as Joseph and Molly Brant. Sources: THE PAPERS OF SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON BY WILLIAM JOHNSON 1774 Minutes of the Second Contitential Congress 1776 IROQUOIS DIPLOM...

Who is there to mourn for Logan? Not one. Logan of the Mingo was known as a kind and friendly man to all people both red and white in the Ohio Country. Then in 1774 his entire family was killed in cold blood.  The aftermath would be what is known as "Lord Dunmore's War"   Sources: NOTES ON THE STATE OF VIRGINIA BY THOMAS JEFFERSON GUYASUTA AND THE FALL OF INDIAN AMERICA BY BRADY J. CRYTZER SIMON G...

In December 1763 a group of miscreants known as "The Paxton Boys" led raids into Lancaster County.  They murdered and mutilated an entire community of Iroquois Conestoga people.  Men, women and children.  A month later after the facts were gathered Benjamin Franklin wrote a lengthy article called "A Narrative of the Late Massacres" in which he chides the murders and also the colony of Pennsylvania...

With the Seven Years War winding down.  Jeffery Amherst the British Commander-in-Chief of North America has to reduce spending drastically.   One of the things he cuts to almost zero is the budget for allied Native Nations.  Also colonists begin pouring into the west in violation to the Treaty of Easton. A Seneca man named Guyasuta will try to resist these encroachments and a prophet named Neolin...

Today we have a very special extended episode. The first of its kind we have Steve Guerra from Beyond the Big Screen Podcast and The History of the Papacy Podcast.  We join him in discussing the 1992 film "The Last of the Mohicans".  We discuss context and historical accuracy. We hope you enjoy.  And please listen to Steve's other shows.  Links are provided below.    https://itunes.apple.com/us/po...