Programs & Services

Haudenosaunee Iroquois Confederacy

Over a thousand years ago, the Peacemaker and Aiionwatha (Hiawatha) brought the Great Law of Peace (Kaianerekowa) to the warring Indian nations of what is now New York State. The message of Peace, Power, and the Good Mind resulted in the forming of the Haudenosaunee Iroquois Confederacy. The league of nations consisted of the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca, and later the Tuscarora. These nations were instructed to bury their weapons of war under the Great Tree of Peace, and to unite as one to uphold the Great Law of Peace by joining "arms" so that the Tree of Peace would never fall.

Planting Trees of Peace

In his educational efforts, Jake started to plant trees of peace ceremonially in 1984. The Tree Planting Ceremony that Chief Swamp shares is an effort to bring awareness to environmental and social concerns. Jake’s oration of the Peacemaker and Aiionwatha's success includes principles of peace that transcend culture and can be applied in promoting environmental and social awareness.

The Tree of Peace Society often receives inquiries about how the tree planting ceremony is conducted or how an individual or group can prepare for it in their own area. Below are some suggestions in preparing for a Tree Planting Ceremony.

Preparation

For an educational institution such as a elementary, high school or university is to first understand the message hat is symbolized by the one thousand year old tree of peace ceremony. The history of the Great Law of Peace is recounted to promote healing among individuals with an expression of hope visualized. The original symbol of the Tree of Peace is the white pine, we like to plant the original symbolic tree so that the meanings can be shared. However, we also can plant another species if so required by the sponsor. The tree will be selected and obtained by the sponsor from a local nursery. The tree will be the size in which it can be easily handled by the people involved. The local nursery will sometimes donate a the tree if the nursery is mentioned at the tree planting ceremony. The hole is dug prior to the ceremony by whomever is designated and the tree is set beside the hole to be planted at the appropriate time during the ceremony.

The Ceremony

Black, white, yellow and red ribbons are required. These represent the different human races and are tied to the tree as part of the ceremony. Individual students are welcomed to take part in the ceremony by burying something physical that represent negative things that may have been carried from the past. By burying past negative feelings a student will feel a tremendous feeling of release and will acquire a sense of renewal. The performer of the ceremony will make her/himself available to preside over a large student assembly to explain different aspects of native culture before the actual ceremony.

Information request

The Tree of Peace Society Speakers Bureau will feature Haudenosaunee leaders, educators and Native elders who are well-versed in the principles of the democratic process of the formation of the Haudenosaunee Iroquois Confederacy, as well as fostering the importance of environmental conservation and ideals derived from Haudenosaunee teachings.

Contact our office to book speakers for your school, organization or group functions.

Please book 6 months in advance and consult our guidelines prior to booking a speaker.

*More speakers will be added shortly.

Chief Jake Tekaronianeken Swamp

Named “Tekaronianeken” meaning where two skies meet together, Chief Jake Swamp is a recognized, internationally known Peace and Environmental activist. Chief Swamp’s involvement with politics began in the late 1960’s when Native People across America were fighting for their Human and Treaty Rights. Participating in the 1969 International Seaway Bridge Blockade was just the beginning of many initiatives of activism for Chief Jake Swamp. Chief Swamp was of the delegation that was involved with the negotiations after the Wounded Knee occupation, participated in the Longest Walk, and was also a part of the Ganienkeh Land reclamation. He attended the Russell Tribunal in the Netherlands, and has traveled to Geneva, Switzerland as a delegate of the Haudenosaunee Iroquois Confederacy. Chief swamp has served as the Director of the Akwesasne Freedom School, a culturally and environmentally based alternative school at Akwesasne. As the Director of the Akwesasne Environmental Justice Project, he introduced Aqua Culture to the community at Akwesasne. Chief Swamp managed the Akwesasne Radio station, developing a language program with the elders of Akwesasne. Since 1984, Chief Jake Swamp has traveled extensively planting Trees for Peace inspired by the state of the world at that time. The concept of planting a tree for peace is derived from the founding of the league of nations of the Haudenosaunee Iroquois Confederacy. Travels include visits and tree plantings worldwide; such as Fance, England, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Austrailia, Italy, Colombia, Canada, Japan, Israel, and Thailand. Chief Swamp has planted a Tree for Peace in almost every one of the United States of America including Hawaii. He assisted in the organization of Tree of Peace plantings along the Berlin Wall in Germany. Chief Swamp has been invited to participate with the World Religious Leaders at the Millenium World Peace Summit. Jake Swamp has held the position as a leader of the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation for over thirty years, his responsibilities include presiding over thanksgiving ceremonies, birth and marriage ceremonies, counseling, funeral rites, and the politics of the nation and confederacy. Chief Swamp resides in Akwesasne with his wife Judy, has seven children, 21 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Since 1994, the Tree of Peace Society has been effectively teaching issues related to environmental and social ethics to undergraduate college students and adult learners who have an interest in Cultural and Environmental Studies. The program format included week-long workshops with adult students and Extended Weekend Service-Learning with undergraduate college students from Cornell University, Fordham University, Bard College, and the University of Wisconsin.

Each year, The Tree of Peace Society averages two Community Service Learning Weekends and one summer week-long gathering of adult learners called "The Sacred Circle," and approximately fifteen speaking engagements. Previous Workshop Topics included: techniques of nature identification and naturalist skills; discussions on environmental awareness; principles of peace and reconciliation; cultural studies; social ethics; issues and challenges in cross-cultural dialogue; contemporary and historic issues affecting Native America; community service-learning; and indigenous studies with undergraduate college students.

We have worked with leaders, teachers and orators from across the Iroquois Confederacy, academic and professionals in related fields, and the Tibetan community of Ithaca New York, and a historian from the town of Rossie (the home town of our Center for Peace, Cultural and Environmental studies). The Society also coordinates community service-learning for undergraduate college students with the Akwesasne Freedom School and the Akwesasne Environmental Task Force.

For more than ten years, the Tree of Peace Society has been effective in teaching environmental and social ethics by focusing upon (indigenous studies) to undergraduate college students and adult learners, and cultural and language preservation with Haudenosaunee youth and Elders. The Society has grown through encouraging "word of mouth" recommendations and is demonstrated by the number of people who return to our classes.
The Society works with:
Haudenosaunee and other first nation youth, Elders and teachers interested in cultural and linguistic expression and preservation, environmental, peace / reconciliation, and cultural studies.

University departments with an interest in community service-learning, indigenous studies, environmental, peace / reconciliation, and cultural studies. We have had successful community service learning with (Cornell) and (Fordham University), (Bard College), (Trent University), and the (University of Wisconsin).

Adult learners with an interest in environmental, peace / reconciliation, and cultural studies

GOALS OF COMMUNITY / SERVICE LEARNING

To engender cultural perspective that can positively inform student academic priorities and provide the strength that is necessary in completing university studies
To develop an appreciation and respect for cultural diversity by participating in a "hands on" community endeavor and a multi-cultural situation
To challenge students to apply their academic experience and (or) physical labor to further community endeavors
To enhance students understanding of the complexity of community initiatives and how these are shaped by Historic, Economic and Cultural Factors
To challenge students' assumptions of historic and contemporary issues through critical reflection
To expand students' knowledge of Historic and Contemporary Indian Issues
To encourage students to develop convictions in their cultural beliefs, values, concerns, and ways of knowing that will honor their commitment to academic pursuits while instilling natures teachings, that because of our interconnection, we have obligations and responsibilities
To provide Forums that discuss the role community, emotion and spiritual support in academic institutions
To provide support for First Nation Students who are enrolled, or intend to enroll, in a university
To empower the students to make quality connections of the service-learning experience with their existing knowledge
To take what is learned in a university that will be of benefit to both themselves and their communities

To provide encouragement that will positively shape students intention, adherence, concentration, and determination in order to achieve their academic goals while benefiting themselves, their community, the natural world and the seven generations in the future.

2005 Sacred Circle

Sacred Circle this year was a success! We had excellent presenters providing our participants with valuable information and interesting topics. We were happy to see former participants return and we are a glad to have met new ones. We especially enjoyed our visitors from overseas. Mary Lloyd was with us for one day on her journey home to the United Kingdom. We also enjoyed the company of Lynn Jones from Queensland, Australia who made the trip over especially for Sacred Circle! Of course, we thank and appreciate all others who attended. We've added pictures and testimonials from some of our first time attendees. As usual every person contributes to the success of this event, bringing with them an open mind, their knowledge, ideas and willingness to share. It was typical to have late night discussions after an especially delicious meal. Thank you all so much for a successful and meaningful Sacred Circle!

Testimonials

“…and the weapons of war were thrown into the cavity in the earth and the five nations of the Haudenosaunee made peace and joined hands so that the Great Tree of Peace would never hit the ground…”

The Peacemaker brought the message of the Great Law to the warring Nations; the Mohawks, the Oneida, the Onondaga, the Cayuga and the Seneca using the principles of the good mind, Peace, Power and Righteousness. These nations formed what is now the existing Haudenosaunee Iroquois Confederacy.

The goal of the Peacemakers Journey is to retrace the path of the Peacemaker and make his message available to a wider audience as we seek to revitalize our traditions for generations to come.

Culture

NATIVE CULTURAL AND LINGUISTIC EXPRESSION AND PRESERVATION

· To express, protect, preserve, retain and revitalize Haudenosaunee Languages and culture through brining youth together with the Elders and teachers of the Haudenosaunee

· To provide Forums for Native people to discuss current social and cultural issues in First Nation communities

· To provide Forums on strategies that deal with problems in First Nation communities

· To provide multiple perspectives to the History of Euro - American / First Nations relations and current Federal and State Indian Policy

· To inspire individual empowerment

Peace

GOALS OF PEACE STUDIES AND RECONCILIATION

· To use case studies of Famous Leaders of Peace from around the world to understand the use of non-violent means in resolving conflict

· To explore principles of reconciliation with individuals and among families and peoples using theCulture of the Haudenosaunee and perspectives from human development and psychology and other cultural experiences

· To encourage people to apply Principles of Peace and Reconciliation in their own lives.

Environment

GOALS OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

· To expose students to the idea that our present thoughts and actions determine the quality of life for the future

· To develop a sense of appreciation and "re-connection" with nature using principles from Haudenosaunee Culture, Naturalist Skills, case studies and principles of ecology

Cross-Cultural Dialogue

GOALS OF ENGENDERING RESPECTFUL CROSS-CULTURAL DIALOGUE

· To provide multiple perspectives to this History of Euro- American / First Nations Relations and current Federal and State Indian Policy

· To educate people about the Contentious Issues that exist between Native and non-Native people

· To emphasize Spiritual Traditions that speak to a shared relationship that is human