3 founding ideals
- peace shouldn't be confined to within nations, but should be worldwide
Peace
- people must treat each other fairly to keep violence at bay
Righteousness
- each individual must have a strong sense of justice
Power
- united actions of people operating under one law
- the government must exercise just enough power to ensure peace, justice, and the well-being of all
- model for peace
- model for democratic government
- acted as Iroquois Constitution
- provided guidance on ceremonies, clans, rights, and duties
The Great Law of
Peace
the Great Tree of Peace
the long roots of the white pine (the "white roots of peace") stretch in 4 directions to welcome all nations
the eagle watches on top
at the base of the tree, a war club is a reminder of the weapons buried by those who want peace
- brought to Iroquois nations by Peacemaker
- the Peacemaker was a messenger from the Creator
- Peace, Power, Righteousness and Health are the most important things according to the Great Law
- the Great Law of Peace remains an enduring model of peace, fellowship, unity, and harmony between governing powers and people, and should be recognized as an important piece of early legislature
5 Iroquois nations making up the Iroquois Confederacy: Cayuga, Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Seneca
(a 6th nation, Tuscarora, joined the Iroquois Confederacy in 1700s)
the 5 nations agreed to the Great Law by symbolically burying their weapons under a designated Great Tree of Peace
In the 11th century, The Great Law was delivered to the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) people by the Peacemaker--a messenger from the Creator
Today, Chiefs must consider the impact of their decisions based on 3 things: the natural world, peace, and the 7th generation not yet born--in keeping with the Great Law
these nations created a lasting example to others of how to unite peacefully and work together under one all-accepting law
before the Peacemaker delivered the Great Law, the Iroquois nations were at war
the Great Law marked the start of a period of unity between the Iroquois nations
Canada's federal government requires Confederacy to elect a chief and council according to the Indian Act