GOING TO THE NATIONS

The Peacemaker now joined by Hayenwentha and the Jikohnsaseh, began their journey to the nations to accomplish this mission of Peace. The three taught the Good News of Peace and Power to the People.

The Peacemaker would explain his mission. “I carry the Mind of the Master of Life and my message will end the wars between East and West. The word that I bring is that all peoples shall love one another and live together in Peace. This message has three parts: Peace, Power and Righteousness. Peace means the people can travel anywhere without fear of being killed as they no longer know war. Power means the Power of the Good Mind when all the people think the same way without arguments or throwing ashes on one another. Righteousness means justice practiced between men and between nations; it also means a desire to see righteousness prevail.”

Hayenwentha eloquently debated all opinions until at last, the people of the nations had been convinced of the prosperity they would have if they joined the Confederacy of Peace. His tender and lofty wisdom, his wide reaching benevolence, and his fervent appeals to the people’s better sentiments, enforced by the eloquence of which he was master, caused the people to regard him with affectionate reverence. The people’s hearts yearned for a time of peace, without fear, and with only love. It meant putting away very old hatreds. It meant putting away deceit and putting on a new mind. But the people were ready.

Jikohnsaseh would teach the people to love one another.

The Mohawks had taken Hayenwentha and the Peacemaker in and had listened to the words of the Good Mind. They had accepted the plan of the confederacy. Now the proposal was sent to the Oneidas, the People of the Standing Stone, to the west. There the plan was laid out to the leading chief, Odatshedeh. After he listened to the message, he replied that the Oneida would consider it. Now it was taken under the council who always gave long and serious consideration to every important proposal. After a year, the Oneida council sent word that they would take hold of the Great Peace.

When the Cayuga, the People of the Pipe, heard of the proposal for peace and unity and power, they accepted with the offer with great relief for many years they had suffered from the attacks of the Onondagas. Now they felt the strength and security the League of Peace would give them.

Next to hear the Great Laws were the Seneca, the People of the Hill. Here there were various factions that prevented the nation from reaching a unanimous decision on any issue. However, the people were won over when the Peacemaker’s predicted “a sign in the sky” and a Black Sun materialized. Now only the chief warrior and deputy failed to agree to the Great Peace. The Seneca wanted to join but they could not seem to resolve the situation. The Peacemaker accepted those who wanted to join thereby making the confederacy stronger and said to the council of chiefs, “This is the first test of the League. What are you going to do about these two warriors? You have to reach a unanimous decision in all the nations before it will work.” In time, the Seneca War Chief was offered a position to be the War Chief for the entire confederacy. The position was to be one of peace, fighting only when there was no alternative. Rules of war engagement were set down giving an adversary three offers to first join in the Great Laws. At last there were four nations ready to join in the Great Peace.

And so the three and their delegates traveled to many nations. The legends would be handed down through Ojibwa, Cherokee, Delaware, Tuteloes, Saponies, Erie, Tuscaroras, Susquehanha, Chesapeake, Shawnee, Ottawas, Mahicans, Nanticokes, Wendots, Miamis and many nations to whom the three had traveled or sent delegates of Peace. Everywhere they went, the people were instructed as to the Good Message for the Good Mind. They were taught that the Creator desired Man to live in Peace and love one another. All people who wanted to join were to be taken into the Great Peace and sheltered by the boughs of the Great White Pine of Peace. Those desiring the ways of peace were adopted into the nations. The now extinct Tutelo were one nation and their beautiful adoption ceremony is yet kept alive by the Cayuga. At the height of the Confederacy seventy nations would be sheltered under the Tree of Peace.

DELIVERING THE YAGOWANEH

The Peacemaker and Hayenwentha consulted with Jikohnsaseh on every important detail. Without her approval of their plan, the integrity of the principle of the confederacy of the five nations would have been in jeopardy.

Jikohnsaseh who was regarded as a descendant of the first woman who was mother of all the first Onkwehoweh (real people) was sacred to her people, for her word was law and her sanctions were necessary in all political measures of inter-tribal importance.

Generations had fought in the old ways. Change was difficult for the people. She used her position as Clan Mother to teach the warriors the way of peace and to lay down their weapons of war. The young warriors heard her words of peace. She exhorted her Corn Clan mothers that now there was a new duty to perform. They now had a responsibility to help achieve Peace. They would still provide food and shelter for the warriors but whenever opportunity availed itself the clan mothers should also speak of peace while taking care of their responsibilities.

Jikohnsaseh worked so hard for it and believed in it so much, that many of the people were swayed. Persuasive words kept peace between hostile warriors who met there and laid aside their anger and their war clubs. Disputes were so adjusted that the hunters and warriors who came there with anger and war in their hearts, left her doors as brothers. Men sought wise counsels in hours of doubt and danger. People came with hate in their hearts and went away with love for each other, such was her ability and her love for the people. To the sick and wounded she ministered with the best medicinal herbs. It is said that Hayenwentha’s departed daughter came often from the sky, borne by the great white bird to give the Jikohnsaseh advice and guidance to help the people.

Often two feuding sides would be fed on separate sides of a partition and from the same bowls. It is said that it was a custom of that time that when eating from the same bowl that all were brothers. When the partition was removed, the warriors would discover they had been eating with their bitter enemy. Because of this ritual the enemy was now like their brother and the Peace forbid the fighting with relatives. Some wars were averted from the practice of this tradition.

Jikohnsaseh’s significance to the cause was considerable. The Peacemaker would refuse to begin any council until she had arrived. Often times she was late because off taking eluding action to avoid war parties. There were tense moments while her delegates and the Peacemaker awaited the arrival of the Great Peace Woman. Often a lookout would be posted to keep watch of the waterway, to see her canoe approaching. There was great relief that swept through the assembled peace delegates when at last they could see her canoe approaching around the bend of the river. The Peacemaker would then paddle the river to pick her up and place her safely at the council.

During this time there were many meetings, and long hours of spirited conversations as the three discussed and re-discussed the idea of Peace, and the Great Laws, and what it would mean for the People.

It would be in such meetings that Jikohnsaseh would inspire and narrate the value of the woman and the advantages of women in creating the balances and checks that the Great Laws would need if it were to truly serve ALL the People. Her wisdom and verbal ability would give much insight and weight to Peace. It is because of her great statesmanship that the Great Laws were crafted into the first and only true democracy to be established forever more. She would wear a cape covered with the fresh water pearls, and these pearls would become a symbol of purity and of the Peace.

A belt of shell beads was created. This belt became known as the Hiawatha Wampum belt and signified the treaty between the nations. A White Tree would symbolize truth purity, and the sheltering of the great boughs to all who desired Peace. Many generations would past before our present day generation would ask inquiringly “What is left of the Great Laws for us?”

STILLING THE WATER

At last, four nations were ready to join the Great Peace. Together, the Peacemaker, the Jikohnsaseh, and Hayenwentha proved invincible. They persuaded the warring factions to the ways of peace and to throw away the ways of war. One by one, the people and the leaders decided to support the Great Laws and joined in the effort to secure the Peace to their people. The peoples of the four nations, the Mohawk, Oneida, Cayuga, and Seneca were ready to join together in the Great Peace.

However, Adodarhonh, the wicked sorcerer at Onondaga Nation, must first be won over. This Nation of the Little Hills lay directly between the Mohawk and Oneida on the East, and the Seneca and Cayuga on the West. The position was of great importance if the people were to unite under the rafters of the Great Law, and shelter under the branches of the Great White Pine.

It is said it was Jikohnsaseh’s suggestion to offer Adodarhonh the position of head Faith-keeper, or Fire-keeper of the Confederacy. It was the most important position. This was an inducement for Adodarhonh to accept the Great Laws of Peace. Adodarhonh would be the deciding factor and last word on the keeping of the Great Laws.

And so Hayenwentha and the Peacemaker took the proposal to Adodarhonh. The Peacemaker said, “The word that I bring is that all men shall love one another and live together in peace. This word has three parts; peace, power, and righteousness.”

Adodarhonh said, “What is this to me?”

The Peacemaker then offered the position, “You shall tend the council fire of the Five Nations, the Fire that never Dies. And the smoke of the fire shall reach the sky and be seen of all men. You shall be the Head Chief of the Five Nations.” Thus it was offered to Adodarhonh. He asked for time to think about it. To come back the next day. In that time, this saying was meant to come again in a year.

In a year’s time, they went to Adodarhonh again. As they came to the lake, there was not enough room in the canoe for everyone in the delegation. It was decided the Peacemaker would take Hayenwentha across the lake, and then returned for Jikohnsaseh and the Seneca War Chief. However, as the white stone canoe crossed the great lake, suddenly the sky darkened, and the wind began to toss the waves around. The stone canoe tossed to and fro with each wave rising high above threatening to sink the small canoe to the bottom of the lake. The storm was so fierce the Peacemaker returned to the shore.

At a later time, they tried again to cross the great water but again the sky darkened, wind blew, and the mighty waves threatened to dash the small canoe to the depths of the sea.

They knew of the Adodarhonh’s great powers, and knew that he could influence the elements. He had frightened the people before with the sorcery he was capable of. They could feel his presence in the storm and wondered how they might overcome his manipulations and spells. They sought the Creator’s help. Jikohnsaseh gave to them a song of healing, a song of peace to quiet the raging heart of the Adodarhonh, and to still the furious storm.

As the Peacemaker and Hayenwentha crossed the lake in the white stone canoe, the sky darkened and the wind blew billowing the waves of water like before. This time however, the Peacemaker sang the song of healing and peace, and the waters became still and the wind became quiet just as suddenly as the storm had come upon them.

They continued on their journey. Upon reaching the opposite shore of Lake Onondaga., the Peacemaker returned for Jikohnsaseh and the Seneca War Chief, and brought them safely without incident to the Onondaga shore.

THE HEALING OF ADODARHONH

“Now,” said the Peacemaker, “We must seek the fire and look for the smoke of Adodarhonh. He alone stands across our path. His mind is twisted and there are seven crooks in his body. These must be straightened if the League is to endure.” The party then continued into the land of the Onondagas where Adodarhonh awaited them. They found him in a swamp, a rough, dirty place. His appearance was very frightening. Snakes were writhing in his hair, and his body appeared crooked and misshapen and everything about him was unpleasant to look upon. The expression on his face let the people know he was unbearably cruel.

“We have come for your answer”, spoke the Peacemaker. “You will be in the center. You will be the head Speaker if you will accept the Great Laws.”

Adodarhonh considered this. They had managed to overcome his great storm. There was much power in the words they spoke. Adodarhonh accepted the position.

They brought Adodarhonh into the center of the long house. Jikohnsaseh had gathered together all the leaders and people of the nations that had agreed to join the Great Peace. Adodarhonh realized that he stood alone as everyone else had joined the Great Laws. It was quite the incentive for joining the confederacy. At first he was filled with fear. He had done many evil things and he thought the people intended to kill him.

The Peacemaker had taught the healing song of peace to the People and the People now surrounded Adodarhonh singing it with the water drum. The Adodarhonh at first felt threatened but he melted as he heard the song. He had long been the worst human being but his mind was being transformed by the singing and the melodious words brought him health and peace. Adodarhonh body and mind mended becoming straight so that he might be well and look as other men. Finally, Dekanawida sang the song himself and then Jikohnsaseh combed the writhing snakes from Adodarhonh’s hair. This symbolized the straightening of his mind also. The Peacemaker laid his hand on Adodarhonh body and said; “The work is finished. Your mind is made straight, your head is now combed. Now you have a new mind. The seven crooks have been taken from your body. You shall from now on preside over the council, and you shall strive in all ways to make reason and the peaceful mind prevail. Your voice shall be the voice of the Great Laws.” “Behold! Here is power. These are the five Nations. Their strength is greater than your strength. But their voice shall be your voice when you speak in council and all men shall hear you and find peace. This shall be your strength in the future; the will of the united people.”

Jikohnsaseh and the War Chief setting of the gustowah with deer antlers upon his head. The deer horns set upon the feathered bonnet is as a sign of authority and the office. It gave to him the Words of the Laws. The healed Adodarhonh was now placed as the Head Fire-keeper, and Adodarhonh became a trustworthy defender of the Laws of Great Peace.

Peacemaker said, “We now do crown you with the sacred emblem of the deer’s antlers, the emblem of your Sachem (office). You shall now become a mentor of the people of the Five Nations. The thickness of your skin shall be seven spans, which is to say that you shall be proof against anger, offensive actions and criticism. Your heart shall be filled with peace and goodwill and your mind filled with a yearning for the welfare of the people of the Confederacy. With endless patience you shall carry out your duty and your firmness shall be tempered with tenderness for your people. Neither anger nor fury shall find lodgment in your mind and all your words and actions shall be marked with calm deliberation. Look and listen for the welfare of the whole people and have always in view not only the present but also the coming generations, even those whose faces are yet beneath the surface of the ground, the unborn of the future Nation.”

Then the Peacemaker uprooted the tallest pine tree and into the cavity thereby made cast all the weapons of war, into the depths of the earth, down into the deep undercurrents of water flowing to unknown regions we cast all the weapons of strife. “We bury them from sight and we plant again the tree. Thus shall the Great peace be established and hostilities shall no longer be known between the Five Nations, and Peace to the United People.”

THE GREAT COUNCIL

Hayenwentha stood before the Great Council in the village at the south end of the Lake Onondaga. He took an arrow and he broke it. “This is your Nation individually,” he said. Then he took five arrows, one for each of the five Nations present, and tried to break them but they would not break. “This is our Nations together”, he said. “Now we are One People. Five arrows shall be bound together very strong and each arrow shall represent one nation. As the five arrows are strongly bound this shall symbolize the complete Union of the nations. Thus are the five Nations united and completely and enfolded together, united into one head, one body and one mind. Therefore they shall labor, legislate and council together for the interest of future generations.”

Then the women from every clan came, and Jikohnsaseh placed the horns on the heads of their chiefs and in all there were 49 that day. The antlers symbolized authority and gave to them the words of the Great Laws and the symbols of the Confederacy.

The Peacemaker planted the Tree of the Great Peace in the territory of the Onondaga who are the Fire Keepers. He said, “Roots have spread out from the Tree of Peace, one to the north, one to the east, one to the south and one to the west. The name of these roots is The Great White Roots and their nature is Peace and Strength.”

“We place at the top to the tree an Eagle who is able to see afar. If he sees in the distance any evil approaching or any danger threatening he will at once warn the people of the Confederacy.”

“The Smoke of the Council Fire shall ever ascend and pierce the sky so that other nations who may be allies may see the Council Fire of the Great Peace. Adodarhonh is entrusted with the keeping of the Council Fire.”

“Hearken, that Peace may continue unto future days! Always listen to the words of the Great Creator, for he has spoken. Unite people, let not evil find lodging in your minds for the Great Creator has spoken and the cause of Peace shall not become old. The cause of Peace shall not die if you remember the Great Creator.”

“A broad dark belt of wampum having a white tree in the center, on either side of which are two white squares all connected with the tree by white rows of beads shall be the emblem of the Unity of the five nations. The first square on the left represents the Mohawk nation, the second square represents the Oneida nation. The white tree in the middle represents the Onondaga nation and it also means the heart of the Five Nations is single in its loyalty to the Great Peace, that the Great Peace is lodged in the heart, and that the Council Fire is to burn there. The white square to the right of the tree/heart represents the Cayuga nation and the fourth and last white square represents the Seneca nation. White shall symbolize that no evil or jealous thoughts shall creep into the minds of the Sachems while in council under the Great Peace. White, the emblem of peace, love, charity and equity surrounds and guards the five nations.”

“I, the Peacemaker, and the Confederate Sachems, now uproot the tallest pine tree and into the cavity there by made we cast all weapons of war. Into the depths of the earth we cast all the weapons of strife. We bury them from sight and we plant again the tree. Thus shall the Great Peace be established and hostilities shall no longer be known between the five Nations but peace to the United People.”

Now the five Nations were one, to be known as the Haudenosaunee, People of the Long House. The long house where extended families would reside became the symbol of the confederacy recognizing the relationship of the people of the five Nations to each other... now they were all family., with the Mohawk and Oneida at the eastern door, the Cayuga and Seneca at the western door and the hearth fire in the center with the Onondaga.

The Peacemaker’s work was finished. He said. “Let others have successors, for the others can advise you like them. But I am the founder of your league, and no one else can do what I have done. I shall be there the thickness of a leaf away. There I shall hear how men tend the Longhouse I constructed for them here on earth. If men should ever become indifferent to the League, he said, perhaps I am to stand here again among your descendants. If the Great Peace should fail, call on my name in the bushes, and I will return.”

MOTHER OF NATIONS

Over the years, Jikohnsaseh had arbitrated the disagreements and had taught the people to make their decisions for the benefit of all. She taught them patiently, to think with love and caring for everyone as all were brothers and children of the Maker. She taught by example in her unfaltering devotion to the people and to the cause she believed in so fervently, The Great Laws and the ways of Peace. Even the final negotiations were presided by her.

Jikohnsaseh had seen the young men grow to manhood. She had mothered many in much the same way she had mothered the Laws of The Great Peace. The Jikohnsaseh and her example had led the way into many issues regarding the history and the governmental functions of the Gantowisas or Clan Mothers of the League.

When the Great Laws were finished, the women were the proprietors of the titles of office. These offices are of a political AND spiritual purpose combined. If the men put in office were not doing right by the people and by the Great Laws, it is the women who would remove them, and find a more suitable leader. The wisdom in this decision comes from the women who bear and raise the children, and who better than these women to know the hearts and abilities of those who would become leaders and sachems of the People.

Women would also hold the veto power over war. The young men, always eager, would call for war, and men, whose nature it is to be warriors, may not always see clearly the Path of Peace. But a woman—who knows she must bury her loved ones, the children she has suckled—she will see and know if the fight is worth it’s cost in lives and death.

Women owned the property. Again, there is great wisdom in this. The woman raised the children. A need for a home and means to provide for the children was of utmost importance. Men could always fend for themselves, but for a woman with little ones to tend for, time would be limited for replacing items needed.

Again, children belong to the lineage of the woman. The clans follow the matrilineal lineage of the women. In this way, every child had a mother, whereas the father may or may not always be there to offer nurturing. The mother’s family took in the child, and the child had a place among the People from the beginning of its journey here on this Earth.

Such were the contributions of Jikohnsaseh. Her wisdom, and her unfailing devotion to the cause, made her an important part of every proceeding of the Peace. The Laws of Great Peace would serve the People well for 1000s of years.

Eventually, a new people, a white race from across the waters would come to the People. The White Race would come with their hearts burning with the desire for Freedom, a desire that would be further fueled by contact with the Haudenosaunee and the democracy they had formed. They would use the Laws of Great Peace as a format for their own form of democracy to be set down in the Constitution of the United States of America. However, the White Race had no honor for women, even of stature like Jikohnsaseh, and so the work she had done to help forge the important document for the People was omitted in the White Man’s version. It would take the new government until the 1920’s to begin to give women the rights the Haudenosaunee women had enjoyed for thousands of years and then it would be the Haudenosaunee women suffragettes who would lead the way.

According to Wendot-Seneca tradition Jikohnsaseh was the reincarnation of the Lynx, Sky Woman’s daughter as well as her direct lineal descendant. The Peacemaker recognized the Jikohnsaseh as his cosmic mother, and quite literally, the mother of all Onkwehoweh. He thus gave to Jikohnsaseh a new name. He gave to her “Mother of Nations.” Turtle Island has become a refuge for the unwanted, the displaced, the hungry and those desiring a better life. It has become a melting pot of nationalities, cultures, and religions, all protected by a sacred document that was originally crafted by three individuals seeking the Creator’s will. The Jikohnsaseh has become the Mother of Nations as numerous as the stars.

THE FIRST GREEN CORN CEREMONY

The years of effort, planning and spiritual guidance had finally profited the people. At last, the much sought after peace was established. A life time of commitment to the cause of peace, power and righteousness had finally prevailed.

The work of the Creator was finished but the People would need to be reminded of all that had transpired to bring this Peace about. The Great Laws abound with encrypted symbols but the Jikohnsaseh and her Clan Mothers, now instituted a new ceremony of thanksgiving and in commemoration to remind the people. Jikohnsaseh and her Corn Camp Clan mothers now established a festival to mark the victory of the accomplishment. It was celebrated with a Green Corn Ceremony.

It was a ceremony to thank the Creator for the Great Peace. It was a ceremony to bring the people together in brotherhood and remind them of the sacredness of all life. It was a ceremony to bring amusement to the Maker of all men that he should be pleased with his creation.

It was a ceremony to thank the Spiritual Forces on the Earth. It was a ceremony to give thanks for our Mother Earth, the Waters, the Fish, the Grasses, the Plants, our Sustenance, the Animals, the Trees, and the Birds.

They gave thanks to the Mother Earth every day for the water she quenched their thirst with. They gave thanks to the waters for in winter it replenished the lakes and during the year they purify the lakes. They gave thanks to the fish that lived in the waters. When the wind turns warm a green blanket appears, they gave thanks to the grasses and the flowers.

They gave thanks to the medicinal plants because they helped keep them healthy. They gave thanks to the food plants. They gave thanks to the animal creatures for their winter pelts that warmed the soul. They gave thanks to the animal creatures who they were glad reappeared in early spring and had been their companions since ancient times. They gave thanks to the trees that sheltered the little animals and at one point became a symbol of Peace.

They gave thanks to the animal creatures for their winter pelts that warmed the soul. They gave thanks to the animal creatures who they were glad reappeared in early spring and had been their companions since ancient times.

They gave thanks to the birds for in times of danger they warned the people. They gave thanks to the birds for in the summer they sing sweet songs.

Then they gave thanks for the Spiritual Forces in the Sky which are the Four Winds, our Grandfather Thunder, our Elder Brother Sun, our Grandmother Moon, and the Stars. Throughout the seasons they refreshed the air.

They gave thanks to the Four Winds In early summer because they bring the falling rain drops. They gave thanks to our Grandfather Thunder Every morning he brought light and warmth. They gave thanks to the Elder Brother Sun for every night he watches over the arrival of children. They give thanks to our Grandmother Moon for in the night her sparkle guides them home. They gave thanks to the star.

Then they gave thanks for The Highest Spiritual Forces beyond the Sky which are the Protectors, Dekaniwida, Hayenwentha, and the Creator. All the time they remind the people how to live. They gave thanks that at one point in time they brought back the words of the Creator. They gave thanks for everyday they shared with one another all of these good things. They gave thanks to the Creator for all these blessings.

A sacred fire was built with flint. This fire was to represent the fire within men to live in Peace and is guarded so that it does not go out. The clan mothers began the day by placing pots of food on the cooking fire. This food would be shared by all. Then the people brought the bounty of Mother Earth to the altar of the Longhouse. This was to show thankfulness to God, our Creator, for what he had blessed the people with and in return the people shared with others.

Then the speaker took a coal from the sacred fire to light the pipe which is smoked and passed around to the faith-keepers while the speaker began the Thanksgiving prayers for the harvest. The sun, moon, wind, rain or water, rocks, leaves, and even the worms, everything that has helped the crop to grow into a bountiful harvest was addressed in the prayers. Then a prayer was said to the four directions and the food was blessed to be distributed among the people.

The ceremony went on for days. Many of the parts of the ceremonies the Peacemaker had taught to his twelve young friends now became part of the celebration of the conclusion of the long journey to peace. The Thanksgiving Address became an important prayer. The Great Feather Dance, and the songs became part of the ceremonies.

The Peach-seed Game became the cornerstone of the celebration. It was a game of chance to amuse the Maker of Men and when it was won, the ceremony was over. The people are divided north and south. Young men collect the "bets" which can be a shirt, or scarf, or basket. One equal bet is collected from the other side. Everyone from the smallest child to the oldest elder can play while the "cheering" section puts "medicine" on the bowl. Beans, one of the three sisters, are used to keep score. When one side has won all the beans the game is won. Then the spoils are divided and the winner gets 2 shirts, or 2 baskets, whatever they have bet.

This Ceremony was held at the full moon when the corn is ripe and continued for days with the people praying, dancing, and remembering their relationships. Medicine games were played for the healing of the sick. The babies were given names. Laughter was heard throughout the day and into the night. The people rejoiced no longer afraid for their lives, no longer at war with one another.

After the ceremonies, the people gather for social dancing such as the stomp dance, the alligator dance, the face dance, the four corner dance, the stirrup dance, the duck dance, the snake dance, and the dancing went all night long. It is a time for socializing, laughter, and having a good time. One wonders if the Maker of Men has as good a time as his creations do. In the morning, the fire-tender made sure that the sacred fire was going and then the morning songs began and another day of ceremony and socializing.

Now Jikohnsaseh's Corn Clan Mother's Warrior Lodge has become the Visitor's Camp and to this day among the Seneca-Cayuga of Oklahoma, Visitors can find nourishment and rest at the visitor's camp. It is a camp inside the circle of rocks held by the oldest clan mother and she has held that camp for over 60 years. Here people gather to talk, and to sing and to watch the dancing. On one night there might even be some hoyanna, some homemade donuts for the dancers.

And so this ceremony continues to this day to remind the people to never again engage in war and acts of anger toward each other but to always live in peace and to love one another.

The time came that the Jikohnsaseh had passed on to the country of the ancestors, Eskennanne. The Peace lodge was left empty with no one to arbitrate the People's disputes. When the wise Hayenwentha spoke his last words to the people to choose from their maidens one gifted with wisdom, who should be their Peace Woman for here they should build a house an in it she should dwell. Doors were to be made at each side and end. Broad paths were to be made to these, so that all might find a welcome no matter whence they came. More than a welcome, for she was to judge equitably between them, turn danger into safety, and hatred into love.

Thus was the great and honorable office of the Royena. It was to bear the name of the first Woman of Peace, Jikohnsaseh and would remain with the Wolf Clans of the Seneca or Seneca Wendots. In this position of office, the Jikohnsaseh acted in the political capacity of Head Clan Mother, chairing the Clan Mothers’ Council of the League.