Background
The Haudenosaunee Confederacy: The Confederacy, also known as the Iroquois Confederacy or League of Peace, comprises Six Nations – the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora.
The meaning of the Ohen:ton Karihwatehkwen: this phrase translates roughly to “The Words Before All Else.” This translation powerfully underscores its fundamental importance, indicating that this practice is the necessary precursor to any other action or discussion, setting the proper mental and spiritual foundation. The Address functions as a speech, and a governance principle.
The sequence of the address: The sequence is a core instructional element. It is a profound, structured ascent that starts with the closest elements (the people, the Earth, the water) and moves upward, sequentially acknowledging plants (grasses, berries, medicine, trees), animals (birds, fish, four-legged animals), and finally the celestial bodies (sun, moon, stars) before concluding with the Four Winds, the Peacemaker, and the Creator/Great Spirit.
Thanksgiving Address is said every single day. Preferably in the morning /beginning of your day to keep your mind clear & keep your thoughts strong throughout the obstacles that come with it, whether positive or negative.
The concept of reciprocity and stewardship versus ownership: This is a crucial concept. Reciprocity means that thanks is not just a one-way street; it implies a duty to give back to the natural world and sustain it. Stewardship (care/responsibility) contrasts sharply with ownership (control/exploitation), reflecting a foundational difference in worldview.
Indigenous Perspective
The Address’s content must be presented as a living, daily practice, not merely a historical text. Use versions approved by the Haudenosaunee communities. Emphasize that it is traditionally spoken in the language (i.e. Mohawk, Onondaga) and often varies slightly by speaker and Nation, reinforcing the oral tradition’s dynamic nature.
Authenticity and Living Practice: Stress that the Address's content must be presented as a living, daily practice, not merely a historical text. This is a civic action that continues to happen today in Haudenosaunee communities. Tuscarora Thanksgiving Address - this 2014 version was created in collaboration with the Six Nations Indian Museum and the Tracking Project to provide an authentic translation into the Tuscarora language. This example is evidence of the dynamic nature of the oral tradition, the Address is translated and shared across different Nations within the Confederacy.
Use approved versions: Versions used in the classroom must be approved by Haudenosaunee communities and ideally credited to the specific Nation or speaker/translator (e.g., the version used by the Onondaga Nation's chiefs).
Dynamic Nature: Emphasize that it is traditionally spoken in the language (i.e., Mohawk, Onondaga) and often varies slightly by speaker and Nation, reinforcing the oral tradition’s dynamic nature. This is a form of oral literacy where memorization and proper oration are valued.
