Iroquois History and Legends

In the 1960s over 10,000 acres of the Seneca Nation's land was to be forcibly acquired by the US government to make way for a dam to protect Pittsburgh from flooding. To the Seneca who lived in the area however they would not take this treaty violation lying down. They would do everything in their power to find a way to save their ancestral lands and their family's homes.SourcesRemembering the Removal [Kinzua Dam & Forced Seneca Relocation]Caleb G. AbramsBroken Promises and Peaceful Waters: Allegheny Reservoir -WARREN CountyKeystone CuriosityOldest Seneca citizen shares story of tribe’s struggle, survivalby Leslie Logan September 26, 2020Johnny Cash "As Long as the Grass Shall Grow" Bitter Tears: Ballads of the American Indian 1964Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/235382US Court of appeals ruling 1957https://web.archive.org/web/20120517012641/http://bulk.resource.org/courts.gov/c/F2/262/262.F2d.27.14488.html103 Cong.Rec., 85th Cong., 1st Sess., part 10, p. 13977John F. Kennedy's letter to the Seneca Nation, Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/235382 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Andrew as he channels his inner word-nerd and talks about how the vocabularies of Native languages influenced English. He also discuses the characteristics of the "Iroquoian Languages", what they are like and how people are striving to save them after hundreds of years of efforts to eradicate them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first half of this episode is another Seneca story about a herd of buffalo (bison) and how you should choose who you follow carefully. In the second half of the episode Andrew shares a very short history of the American Bison. Sources: Skunny Wundy: Seneca Indian Tales by Arthur C. Parker Brown-Headed Cowbirds: From Buffalo Birds to Modern Scourge by Lisa Petit https://nationalzoo.si.edu/migratory-birds/news/brown-headed-cowbirds-buffalo-birds-modern-scourge American bison by the Smithsonian Institute https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/american-bison Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Known as the "Lilly of the Mohawks" Kateri was a Mohawk woman born in the mid 17th century. After being baptized by Jesuit missionaries she became a Christian that worked to incorporate her faith fully into her native culture. Three centuries after her death she was canonized as a Catholic Saint in 2012. This week we are joined by journalist Peter Jesser Smith as he unpacks her life and legacy. A Lily Among Thorns The Mohawk Repatriation of Káteri Tekahkwí:tha By Darren Bonaparte · 2009 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two more fun fables written by Arthur C. Parker (Gawaso Wanneh) (Seneca) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Perry Ground is a member of the Onondaga Nation. He belongs to the Turtle Clan and has spent the past 30 years as an oral storyteller. Preforming and sharing traditional Haudenosaunee stories is his passion. Listen to why telling stories is an important part of every culture. To have Perry come and visit your group you can contact him through his website at https://talkingturtlestories.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our final episode in our Haudenosaunee in the Civil War series we take a look at how other individuals and communities made contributions to the war effort. We will cover Dr. Peter Wilson (Cayuga), the U.S. - Dakota War of 1862 and the Oneida Nation of Green Bay, WI Notes: Federal Publishing Company. The Union Army A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal States 1861-65 — Records of the Regiments in the Union Army — Cyclopedia of Battles — Memoirs of Commanders and Soldiers Volumn VI Cyclopedia of Battles — Helena Road to Z. United States Army Reports. Federal Publishing Company, 1908. Gibson, Arrell Morgan. "Native Americans and the Civil War." American Indian Quarterly (Oct. 1985): 385–410. Hauptman, Laurence M. The Iroquois in the Civil War: From Battlefield to Reservation. Syracuse University Press, 1992. Horton, Russell. "Unwanted in a White Man's War: The Civil War Service of the Green Bay Tribes." The Wisconsin Magazine of History 2004: 18-27 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1862, after struggling for over a year to join the war effort dozen of men from the Seneca and Tuscarora nation were finally given a chance to showcase their prowess and courage. Notes Armstrong, William H. Warrior in Two Camps: Ely S. Parker, Union General, and Seneca. Syracuse University Press, 1978. Federal Publishing Company. The Union Army A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal States 1861-65 — Records of the Regiments in the Union Army — Cyclopedia of Battles — Memoirs of Commanders and Soldiers Volumn VI Cyclopedia of Battles — Helena Road to Z. United States Army Reports. Madison, Wisconsin: Federal Publishing Company, 1908. Gibson, Arrell Morgan. "Native Americans and the Civil War." American Indian Quarterly (Oct. 1985): 385–410. Hauptman, Laurence M “A Seneca Indian in the Union Army: The Civil War Letters of Sergeant Isaac Newton Parker”, 1861-1865” 1995 Hauptman, Laurence M. The Iroquois in the Civil War: From Battlefield to Reservation. Syracuse University Press, 1992. https://www.americanindianmagazine.org/story/army-logic-tuscarora-company-civil-war https://web.archive.org/web/20101224094712/http://civilwarreference.com/battles/detail.php?battlesID=1271 Images of America Tuscarora Nation Bryan Printup and Neiil Patterson Jr. Arcadia Publishing 2007 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1861 a group of Seneca-Cayuga Iroquois who had relocated to Oklahoma in search of peace find themselves right in the middle of the American Civil War. Learn about the war in the west. This episode has everything, Cherokee Confederates fighting against Free Black Soldiers and Union allied Iroquois. Maurading desperados, tears, betrayals, death, and of course many battles. Notes: Armstrong, William H. Warrior in Two Camps: Ely S. Parker, Union General, and Seneca. Syracuse University Press, 1978. Gibson, Arrell Morgan. "Native Americans and the Civil War." American Indian Quarterly (Oct. 1985): 385–410. Hauptman, Laurence M. The Iroquois in the Civil War: From Battlefield to Reservation. Syracuse University Press, 1992. https://web.archive.org/web/20101224094712/http://civilwarreference.com/battles/detail.php?battlesID=1271 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Snowsnake is one of the most popular indigenous winter sports. Not only for people in the Haudenosaunee community but for dozens of other nations and tribes as well. Learn about how this entertaining game is played through today's story about two young boys who fall into an argument about the outcome of a Snowsnake match. Story based on the traditional tale as told in, "Stories the Iroquois Tell Their Children", by Mabel Powers (Yeh Sen Noh Wehs) published 1917 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It is known as the Creator's Game. People in North America have been playing Lacrosse for thousands of years. In modern times high schools and colleges have developed large programs. International competition has been growing as well. Today we are pleased to have several members of the Iroquois Nationals Organization joining the show. Executive Director Leo Nolan (Mohawk Nation), Rex Lyons (Onondaga Nation), David Bray (Seneca Nation), and Pro player Randy Staats (Mohawk Nation). https://iroquoisnationals.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fox and Raccoon continue their contentious relationship in this short story. Based on Stories the Iroquois Tell Their Children by Mabel Powers [1917] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's co-host is Karl Dockstader. Karl is a member of the Oneida Nation. He is an award winning radio host and a fan of Iroquois History and Legends. Together we cover racism, treaties, culture, and history. We look at past and present Haudenosaunee generations and their impact on the world. Finally we ponder what the future of the Six Nations might be seven generations from now. References: Janet Rogers Poems from Peace in Duress https://talonbooks.com/meta-talon/listen-poems-from-peace-in-duress-by-janet-rogers John Trudell - Radio Free Alcatraz https://narratively.com/native-radio-alcatraz-fbi/ John Mohawk (Sotsisowah)Thinking in Indian https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AXS5VSK/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A few years after the Civil War, General Grant became President Grant and his friend Ely was appointed the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. He was the first indigenous person to hold the office. Today we finish our three part series on the life of Ely Parker The Life of General Ely S. Parker by Arthur C. Parker https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00W0LEWL0/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 Warrior in Two Camps by William Armstrong https://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Camps-Iroquois-Their-Neighbors/dp/0815624956 The "Real Story" Behind the Marriage of Ely S. Parker and Minnie Orton Sackett By Jare Cardinal http://www.pbs.org/warrior/content/timeline/hero/wedding.html Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1863, after years of lobbying Parker was finally off to war. As General Grant moved up the ladder of command Ely went with him every step of the way. The Life of General Ely S. Parker by Arthur C. Parker https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00W0LEWL0/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 Warrior in Two Camps by William Armstrong https://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Camps-Iroquois-Their-Neighbors/dp/0815624956 American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House by Jon Meacham https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001FA0JSM/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It could be said that Ely Parker was the most famous Seneca man of the 19th Century. The grandnephew of Red Jacket became a teenage diplomat, interpreter, aspiring lawyer, domestic engineer and Sachem all before the age of 30. The crazy thing is, that is not at all what he is remembered for. Later in life he would become a General in the Civil War, a Wall Street broker and the first Indigenous person ever to be the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. In this episode we look at the early years of Ely S. Parker. References: The Life of General Ely S. Parker by Arthur C. Parker https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00W0LEWL0/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 Warrior in Two Camps by William Armstrong https://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Camps-Iroquois-Their-Neighbors/dp/0815624956 American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House by John Meacham https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001FA0JSM/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is an interview that Andrew did in 2018 on the One Dish, One Mic radio show. The name comes from the idea of One Dish and One Spoon. An ancient concept going back at least to the foundation or the Haudenosaunee Confederacy itself. Sean Vanderklis (Mississauga) and Karl Dockstader (Oneida) were gracious enough to give us permission to let us air this on our channel. http://1dish1mic.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stories the Iroquois Tell Their Children by Mabel Powers (Yehsennohwehs) [1917]. Recorded with Ezra Guite Cotter and Ethan Cotter. It was some moons after the raccoon outwitted fox, before they again met. The raccoon was hurrying by, when fox saw him. Now the fox had not forgotten the trick the raccoon had played on him when he burned his mouth with what he thought was magic pawpaws. But it was really a fire ball. So the fox started after the raccoon. He was gaining, and would have caught him, had they not come to a tall pine tree. The raccoon ran to the very tiptop of the pine tree. “Try and get me up here Fox”, said raccoon There he was safe, for the fox could not climb. The fox lay down on the soft pine needles and waited for the raccoon to come down. The raccoon stayed up in the pine tree so long that the fox grew tired and sleepy. He closed his eyes and thought he would take a short nap. The raccoon watched, until he saw that the fox was sound asleep. Raccoon sat on the tree for a long while and when he tired to move he noticed that his paws were sticky. And then he smiled and said to himself, “I know how to deal with fox” Then he took in his mouth some of the sap from the pine tree. He ran down the tree and quietly rubbed the pitch over the eyes of the sleeping fox. The fox awoke. He sprang up and tried to seize the raccoon, but, alas! he could not see what he was doing. The lids of his eyes were held fast with the pine tar. He could not open them. The raccoon laughed at the fox's plight, then ran and left him. Try and catch me now fox! Said raccoon The fox lay for some time under the tree. The pine gum, as it dried, held the lids of his eyes closer and closer shut. He thought he should never again see the sun. Some birds were singing near by. He called them, and told them of his plight. He asked if they would be so kind as to pick open his eyes. The birds flew off and told the other birds. Come and help us Soon many of the little dark songsters flew back to where the fox lay. Then peck, peck, peck, went the little bills on the eyelids of the fox. Bit by bit they carefully pecked away the pine gum. If one grew tired, another bird would take its place. At last the fox saw a streak of light. Soon the lid of one eye flew open, then the other. The sun was shining, and the world looked very beautiful to the fox, as he opened his eyes. He was very grateful to the little birds for bringing him light. He told them to ask what they would, and he would give it to them. The little birds said, "We do not like the dark feathers which the Turkey Buzzard gave us. We want to look like the sun” The fox looked about him. Beautiful sunflowers were growing near. He pressed some of the bright yellow color from them, and with the tip of his tail as a brush, he began to paint the dark little birds like the sun. The birds fluttered so with joy, he thought he would paint the bodies first. Before he could brush the wings and tails with the sun paint, each little bird had darted away, like a streak of sunshine. Thank you, Thank you So happy and light of heart were the birds, that they could not wait for the fox to finish the painting. This is why goldfinches are yellow like the sun. It is why they have black wings and tails, why they flutter so with joy, and why they never finish their song. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fox and Rabbit cause a lot of mischief. Learn how fire, and war came to man. Find out how rabbit received his split lip. Adapted from the story as told by Arthur C. Parker (Seneca) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Based on "How an Indian Boy Got His Name" an Iroquois tale as told by Mable Powers (Yen-Sen-Noh-Wehs) in 1917. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.