Ayonwatha
By Credible Mohawk Entertainment
AyonwathaJan 25, 2022
Gods, Ghosts, and Spirits
Episode Eight: Gods, Spirits, and Ghosts
"When we give thanks we offer it as well to our Elder Brother, the Sun. All over the world the sun is reveird sometimes as a God with different names such as Ra for the many, Sol for the Norse, Helius for the Greek, and Etshitewa’tsi:’a Entyekhenhnekha Karahkwa for the Mohawks...
...When we consider that different cultures around the world were not bound to One Almighty God, but rather than a series of entities tied to elements which were physical manifestations of the spirit of each one. It has been understood since the beginning of human-kind that everything has a spirit and should be observed and thanked for its power to help us continue our duties as stewards of the land..."
Reconnection Through Creation
In this episode cover different aspects of the Ohenton Karihwatehkwen and it's importance in reconnection. What the words mean and how we need to understand what the words truly mean.
"We give thanks to the people first in the Ohenton Karihwatehkwen not because we are the most important, but because of our insignificance in the universe; we were created differently, with a direct responsibility. We are to take care of creation and live with it, not live to dominate it..
When we give thanks to the people we aren't just acknowledging the physical body, but the embodiment of a responsibility that was bestowed upon us. We were given the physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional tools to be stewards of the land with a special connection.
We look at the roles and responsibilities not just among ourselves but our placement in creation. We give thanks to ourselves first not because we are the most important but because we are insignificant in the grand scheme of creation; it has the ability to continue on without us. We are to nurture and preserve, live with creation and not fight against it."
Death of the Patriarchy
“These white people think this country belongs to them - they don't realize that they are only in charge right now because there's more of them than there are of us. The whole country changed with only a handful of raggedly-ass pilgrims that came over here in the 1500s. And it can take a handful of raggedy-ass Indians to do the same, and I intend to be one of those raggedy-ass Indians.” Anna Mae Pictou Aquash
Call to Action 47: We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to repudiate concepts used to justify European sovereignty over Indigenous peoples and lands, such as the Doctrine of Discovery and terra nullius, and to reform those laws, government policies, and litigation strategies that continue to rely on such concepts.
War, Wampum, and Peace
In this episode we look at parts of the Peacemaker's journey, the Two Row Wampum, and why we as Indigenous people speak softly with purpose rather than demand respect.
We have thrived and are rising more now because of our ability to live in harmony with creation, respecting ourselves and others; and when doing business it shows. The ability to leave emotions out and get business over with lends more time to hunting, fishing, agriculture, and just living life in general. When a settler demands respect from an Indigenous person, it is guaranteed they will not get it. You need to give respect in order to receive it, so don’t put out what you do not want in return.
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Council of the Mohawks
The ceremonies, songs, and traditions have lasted through the generations despite attempted genocide and assimilation tactics. In this episode Sha'tekayenton speaks about how the Federal Government has laid itself out across the land, whitewashing of Kayanere'kowa into the American Constitution, and the Ohenton Karihwatehkwen (opening address/words before all business)
Tracing the Roots
For the settler population to better understand Haudenosaunee people they need to explore the ideals and values that come from the Law, which in turn will help them better understand the balance and their need to become an ally not for Indigenous people, but for the future of their families as well. Kayanere’ko:wa (“The Great Law of Peace”) encourages us to explore the balance of ourselves as a part of nature and how we can live in harmony with creation. This is to ensure the continuation of life for all of our generations and life around us, the ecosystems, the air, water, everything within the natural world.
Call to Action #47: We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to repudiate concepts used to justify European sovereignty over Indigenous peoples and lands, such as the Doctrine of Discovery and terra nullius, and to reform those laws, government policies, and litigation strategies that continue to rely on such concepts.
Indigenous Genocide, the Foundations of the Holocaust
The removal of the children was under the guise of helping, but it was actually to kill the Indian inside the child and assimilate them into everyday Catholic settler life. The system was so effective that it became an inspiration to history’s most infamous monsters. When Heinrich Himmler learned of the American Indian Boarding Schools and Canada’s Indian Residential Schools he became infatuated and conveyed to Hitler the information he had learned who also became enthralled with the concept.
Call to Action #47: We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to repudiate concepts used to justify European sovereignty over Indigenous peoples and lands, such as the Doctrine of Discovery and terra nullius, and to reform those laws, government policies, and litigation strategies that continue to rely on such concepts.
The Shadows of Reality
The things heard here may tear your soul apart and make you question your entire existence. The smiles we see and celebrations always have a darker side, a facade. Even the ones who seem genuinely evil are a lot nicer on a computer screen than in person, and even more diabolical and evil. Reality is like a shadow, it mimics your every move, but with an elegant darkness that sometimes goes unnoticed.
Call to Action #47: We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to repudiate concepts used to justify European sovereignty over Indigenous peoples and lands, such as the Doctrine of Discovery and terra nullius, and to reform those laws, government policies, and litigation strategies that continue to rely on such concepts.