Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as people.
It’s tradition at War Room to present a Thanksgiving message each year as we approach the holiday. As people in the United States prepare to celebrate tomorrow, there is a great deal in the world that aims to divide rather than unify, and it’s far too easy to lose sight of what there is to be thankful for. This year, rather than citing a historical senior leader, we’ve chosen to share the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address.
The Haudenosaunee (hoe-dee-no-SHOW-nee), often referred to in English as the Iroquois, are a confederacy of nations in the northeast United States and parts of Canada. They lived for a time in portions of western, central, and eastern Pennsylvania, to include what is today Carlisle Barracks—home of the U.S. Army War College. Haudenosaunee means “people who build a house.” A misnomer, Iroquois was actually the language of the six nations that make up the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. They are the Cayuga, Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Tuscarora and Seneca.
Carlisle Barracks has an unfortunate history with the people of the six nations in that it was once the location for the Carlisle Indian School, which operated from 1879 to 1918. During those 39 years, thousands of native American children attended the school; at least 186 died and were buried here. To learn more about the history of the school and what the Department of Defense is doing to correct the failings of the past, visit The Carlisle Indian School Project.
To honor the people of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, we humbly offer their traditional Thanksgiving Address, or the Ohèn:ton Karihwatéhkwen. The address is often recited at the opening and closing of gatherings to get everyone in a good mind to work together for the best for all.
From War Room to our valued readers and listeners, we are thankful for your continued engagement. We hope that you find time to be thankful for the good in your life.
Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address
The People
Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as people.
Now our minds are one.
The Earth Mother
We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our mother, we send greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Waters
We give thanks to all the waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many forms- waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit of Water.
Now our minds are one.
The Fish
We turn our minds to the all the Fish life in the water. They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water. They also give themselves to us as food. We are grateful that we can still find pure water. So, we turn now to the Fish and send our greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Plants
Now we turn toward the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to come.
Now our minds are one.
The Food Plants
With one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables, beans and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living things draw strength from them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as one and send them a greeting of thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Medicine Herbs
Now we turn to all the Medicine herbs of the world. From the beginning they were instructed to take away sickness. They are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are happy there are still among us those special few who remember how to use these plants for healing. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the Medicines and to the keepers of the Medicines.
Now our minds are one.
The Animals
We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. We are honored by them when they give up their lives so we may use their bodies as food for our people. We see them near our homes and in the deep forests. We are glad they are still here and we hope that it will always be so.
Now our minds are one.
The Trees
We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees who have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter and shade, others with fruit, beauty and other useful things. Many people of the world use a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. With one mind, we greet and thank the Tree life.
Now our minds are one.
The Birds
We put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who move and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them beautiful songs. Each day they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be their leader. To all the Birds-from the smallest to the largest-we send our joyful greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Four Winds
We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. They help us to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us messages and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds.
Now our minds are one.
Closing Words
We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it was not our intention to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way.
Now our minds are one.
This translation of the Mohawk version of the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address was developed, published in 1993, and provided, courtesy of: Six Nations Indian Museum and the Tracking Project All rights reserved.
To hear the the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address spoken in Mohawk follow this link with the recitation beginning at approximately 01:55 in the embedded video at the top of the page.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, the U.S. Army, or the Department of Defense.
Photo Description: Captioned -1914 – Buffalo New York, Panoramic View of Iroquois.
Photo Credit: William Alexander Drennan courtesy of the Library of Congress, Public Domain