SIX NATIONS RESERVE

GRAND RIVER COUNTRY

 

A BRIEF HISTORY

 

The traditional homeland of the Hotinonshón:ni was spread along the Mohawk River Valley and throughout the Finger Lakes district in what is now called New York State. Since the formation of the great Iroquois Confederacy culminating the journey of the Peacemaker over a thousand years before, five native nations shared this part of Turtle Island with respect, sharing, and caring. Starting from the Cohoes Falls, where Hianwátha joined the Peacemaker, nestled between the Allegheny and Catskill Mountains were the Elder Brothers, the Mohawks, protectors of the "eastern door". Stretching along the Genesee river were the Senecas, Elder Brothers, too, and protectors of the "western door".

Near present day Syracuse were the firekeepers and keepers of the capital council fire, home of the Onondagas. The Younger Brothers of the Cayugas were settled along Lake Cayuga and the Oneidas along Lake Oneida. The Tuscaroras, were later invited to join the Confederacy when they lost their homelands in what is now North Carolina, thus forming the "six nations".

In 1535 Jacques Cartier observed the Iroquoian settlement at Hochelaga now the site of McGill University in Montreal. In 1609-10 Samuel de Champlain encountered the Hotinonshón:ni at the southern end of Lake Champlain near Lake George using firearms against the unarmed Mohawks. As first the Dutch, then the French, followed by the English encountered and traded with the Hotinonshón:ni, relations developed and wampum treaties were offered to the Europeans. The Two Row Wampum, offered in the spirit of peace, friendship, and good minds, demonstrated the two ways, native and European, existing side by side, and were unique and independent of each other, on Turtle Island.

By the late 18th century the Hotinonshón:ni attempted to remain neutral as the British tried to hang on to the American colonies adjacent to their native homelands. The Anglo-assimilated, self proclaimed Hotinonshón:ni warrior Thayendanagea, Joseph Brant, convinced most Senecas, Mohawks, Cayugas, and Onondagas to align themselves with the British struggle, leaving the Oneidas and Tuscaroras to side with the American revolutionaries. As the struggles favored the colonials, the Hotinonshón:ni were largely abandoned by their allies on both sides. George Washington ordered a three pronged invasion and destruction of the Iroquoian homeland led by John Sullivan, James Clinton, and Daniel Brodhead. Nearly 40 Hotinonshón:ni villages across the Finger Lakes region were obliterated. Amidst the killing and desolation many of the people headed north into unclaimed lands in what is now Canada. Sadly, the efforts of the Peacemaker were left to these survivors.

The Six Nations Reserve was granted to the survivors under Brant in 1784. The Haldimand Grant extended six miles either side of the Grand River from its source to its mouth at Lake Erie. In 1793 British Governor John Simcoe forced the surrender of some of the source lands. Between 1798 and 1834 Brant, as leader, sold more than 140,000 hectares of the grant to raise money for the welfare of the people. These lands include present day Brantford. Later, between 1834 and 1844, some monies from these sales were invested in the Grand River Navigation Company to open the river to a link with the Welland Canal, and later to the founding funds for McGill, the University of Toronto, and other capital investments.

The Six Nations Reserve took its present form of 20,000 hectares in 1847. The longhouse tradition was reinforced by the teachings of the Seneca Chief and spiritual prophet, Handsome Lake [1735-1835]. Early Anglican and other Christian traditions were adopted by most of the people. The Indian Act of 1924 brought compulsory enfranchisement and the establishment of school education to the Reserve.

In the years following this disengagement from traditional learning in families and community, and the loss of language, difficult social problems have emerged.

In addition to alcohol and drug addictions, family violence, substance abuse and even suicide, have become more common.

Today Six Nations is home to 9,566 Hotinonshón:ni and an additional 9,518 of the people who live off-reserve. It is the largest native reserve within the borders of Canada. Perhaps 75% of the population are practicing Christians, while the remaining 25% have maintained the longhouse tradition and the teachings of Handsome Lake.

The reserve is centered on the village of Ohsweken and is home to two newspapers, the Tekawennake and Turtle Island News, numerous native businesses and many talented and prominent Hotinonshón:ni people in the professions, and the fields of athletics, art, performance, and music. Many have served in the construction industry all over North America in high steel construction and other trades.

A library, an arena and other sports facilities, social services, including men and women's shelter and band council offices, six shopping centres, a birthing centre, several schools, four longhouses, and numerous churches serve the local people.

The prominent 19th century poetess Tekahionwakc, Pauline Johnson, daughter of Emily Howles and Chief George Johnson was raised at Chiefswood on the northern edge of the reserve across from the recently opened tourism centre, the Odrohekta. The famous long distance runner Tom Longboat was an Onondaga from Six Nations. The Mohawk Chapel, an Anglican church built in 1788 to receive the Queen Anne communion silver rescued during the American Revolution, is on the reserve near Brantford. In 1904 it was dedicated "Her Majesty's Chapel of the Mohawks", the only Royal chapel in the world belonging to native people.

The predominant form of government is the Band Council operating under the laws of Canada and the requirements of British subjects. Yet some remain true to the native traditions, carrying Hotinonshón:ni passports and conducting sovereign affairs under treaties made with the British crown within traditional Hotinonshón:ni clan orders.

In recent years many people have begun reclaiming their native languages, traditional ways of life and practices, based upon the Cycle of the Ceremonies, the Great Law, and the Gaihwíyo of Handsome Lake. Once again rebuilding the self-respect and effectiveness of the people both within and outside the reserve.

Special efforts are made to welcome visitors. The recent founding of the Grand River Polytechnic and a native immersion high school, have complimented the efforts of The Jake Thomas Learning Centre to conserve and revitalize the traditional teachings, arts and languages among all people, especially the young.

This is an indication of a strong future for the Hotinonshón:ni at Six Nations, and Akwesasne, Tyendinaga, Kahnawake, Kanehsatake, Tonawanda, Onondaga, Oneidas of the Thames, and other reserves spread near the shores of Lake Ontario in Ontario, Quebec, and New York State.

Onen.