400 GP/Great Peace (1721 A.D.)
Deganawatha walked along the new dirt pathway to the great meeting at Onondaga the leading village of the Haudenosaunee people. The Onodaga people kept the sacred flame in the centre of their Confederacy. As it had been since the five peoples first came together. The Kanien'gehaga and the Seneca were the guards of the East and West doors, the Onayotekaono lead the people's connection to the great spirt and the Guyohkohnyo people helped to farm the food for the Confederation. Thus they formed the Great Longhouse, a symbol of community and freedom against their enemies to north, the Wyandot and Algonquian.
But this meeting was not for war. The Kanien'gehaga claimed to have had a great canoe wash up on its shores. No living sole of man or beast was present, but there were bones wrapped in odd skins, never before seen by any of the people's. Deganawatha had been chosen as one of the Onondaga from his village to be on the council. He entered the Onondaga Longhouse as the others were gathering.
"Why have you called this meeting Theyanoguin? What could a canoe of the dead hold of interest?" Asked Canassatego Great Chief of the Onondaga.
Theyanoguin of the Kanien'gehaga said not a word, but with one move flung a Tomahawk with a short plain handle deep into a wooden beam. Its head disappearing mostly into the wood. It rang with the pitch of bird song though the Longhouse. "There are many more as that one. And other weapons and shining skins that an arrow can not pierce. I know not and care not about the bodies on this canoe. But if we can learn of their weapons. The Wyandot and Algonquian will never be able to harm us again." No one spoke for a great time. Then Deganawatha heard someone say with a laugh from behind him.
"So, this is about war then."
Deganawatha's stomach was unsettled. His eyes did not leave the weapon as Theyanoguin removed it from wooden poll. He hated war and had hoped to avoid it further. But if this Great Canoe had more weapons such as this, there would be war, and it would be soon.
Deganawatha walked along the new dirt pathway to the great meeting at Onondaga the leading village of the Haudenosaunee people. The Onodaga people kept the sacred flame in the centre of their Confederacy. As it had been since the five peoples first came together. The Kanien'gehaga and the Seneca were the guards of the East and West doors, the Onayotekaono lead the people's connection to the great spirt and the Guyohkohnyo people helped to farm the food for the Confederation. Thus they formed the Great Longhouse, a symbol of community and freedom against their enemies to north, the Wyandot and Algonquian.
But this meeting was not for war. The Kanien'gehaga claimed to have had a great canoe wash up on its shores. No living sole of man or beast was present, but there were bones wrapped in odd skins, never before seen by any of the people's. Deganawatha had been chosen as one of the Onondaga from his village to be on the council. He entered the Onondaga Longhouse as the others were gathering.
"Why have you called this meeting Theyanoguin? What could a canoe of the dead hold of interest?" Asked Canassatego Great Chief of the Onondaga.
Theyanoguin of the Kanien'gehaga said not a word, but with one move flung a Tomahawk with a short plain handle deep into a wooden beam. Its head disappearing mostly into the wood. It rang with the pitch of bird song though the Longhouse. "There are many more as that one. And other weapons and shining skins that an arrow can not pierce. I know not and care not about the bodies on this canoe. But if we can learn of their weapons. The Wyandot and Algonquian will never be able to harm us again." No one spoke for a great time. Then Deganawatha heard someone say with a laugh from behind him.
"So, this is about war then."
Deganawatha's stomach was unsettled. His eyes did not leave the weapon as Theyanoguin removed it from wooden poll. He hated war and had hoped to avoid it further. But if this Great Canoe had more weapons such as this, there would be war, and it would be soon.