The Ohen:ton Karihwatehkwen: The Words That ComeBefore All Else: The Thanksgiving Address:

The Ohen:ton Karihwatehkwen is a traditional Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address, often referred to as the "Words Before All Else." It is a beautiful expression of gratitude and respect for the natural world and all living things. This address is commonly recited at the beginning of gatherings, ceremonies, and events to acknowledge and thank all elements of creation. The Iroquois Confederacy, also known as the Haudenosaunee, is a historically powerful and influential group of Indigenous nations in North America. Here are some key points about the Iroquois Confederacy:

Formation and Structure

• Formation: The Iroquois Confederacy was formed around the 16th or 17th century. It was established by the Great Peacemaker, Dekanawida, and Hiawatha to bring peace among the warring tribes
• Original Nations: The Confederacy originally consisted of five nations: the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca. Later, the Tuscarora joined in 1722, making it the Six Nations
• Great Law of Peace: The Confederacy was governed by the Great Law of Peace, which served as their constitution. This law emphasized principles of democracy, federalism, and participatory governance

Cultural and Political Influence

• Democratic Governance: The Iroquois Confederacy is often considered one of the world's oldest participatory democracies. It had a sophisticated system of checks and balances and a council of representatives from each nation
• Influence on U.S. Constitution: The democratic principles of the Iroquois Confederacy are believed to have influenced the framers of the United States Constitution, including Benjamin Franklin and James Madison.
• Cultural Practices: The Confederacy had rich cultural traditions, including the use of wampum belts for recording treaties and agreements, and a strong emphasis on the role of women in governance and decision-making.

Historical Role

• Strategic Alliances: During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Iroquois Confederacy played a strategic role in the conflicts between the French and British in North America.
• Survival and Adaptation: Despite European colonization, the Iroquois Confederacy has persisted into the 21st century, maintaining its cultural heritage and adapting to modern challenges.

The Iroquois Confederacy is a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of Indigenous governance and culture. Its legacy continues to be celebrated and studied for its contributions to democratic principles and cultural richness.

The Ohen:ton Karihwatehkwen: The Words That ComeBefore All Else: The Thanksgiving Address:

Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty and responsibility to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one and we give our greetings and our thanks for one another as people. Now our minds are one.

We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our mother, we send greetings and thanks. Now our minds are one.

We give thanks to all the waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life.? We know it's power in many forms- waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one mind, we send our greetings and our thanks to the spirit of Water. Now our minds are one.

We turn our minds to all the Fish life in the water. They were instructed to purify and cleanse the water. They also give themselves to us as food. We are grateful that we can still find pure water. So, we turn now to the fish and send our greetings and love. Now our minds are one.

?Ow we turn towards the Plants. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give our thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life continue for many generations to come. Now our minds are one.

With one mind we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time, the grains, the vegetables, beans and berries have helped the people to survive. Many other living things draw strength from them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as one and send them our greetings and thanks. Now we are one mind.

Now we turn to all the Medicine Plants of the world. From the beginning they were instructed to take away sickness. They are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are happy there are still? those among us those special few who remember how to use these plants for healing. With one mind we send our greetings and thanks to the Medicines and to the Keepers of the Medicine.

Now we are one mind.

?We gather our minds together to send our greetings and our thanks to the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. We ate honored by them when they give up their lives so we may use their bodies as food for our people. We see them near our homes and in the deep forest. We are glad they are still here and we pray this will always be so. Now our minds are one.

We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families of trees that have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter and shade, others with fruit, beauty and other useful things. Many people of the world use a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. With one mind we send our greetings and our thanks to the Tree life. Now our minds are one.

We put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who move and fly about our heads. The Creator gave them beautiful songs. Each day they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be their leader. To all the birds- from smallest to the largest, we send joyful greetings and our thanks. Now our minds are one.

We are thankful to the power we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air as we breath. They help us to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us messages and giving us strength. With one mind we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds. Now our minds are one.

Now we turn to the West where our grandfathers the Thunders live. With lightening and thundering voices, they bring with them the water that renews life. We bring our minds as one to send our greetings and thanks to our Grandfathers the Thunders. Now our minds are one.

Now we send our greetings and our thanks to eldest Brother, the Sun. Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west, bringing the light of a new day. He is the source of all fires of life. With one mind we send our greetings and thanks to our Brother, the Sun. Now our minds are one.

We put our minds together? to give thanks to our oldest Grandmother, the Moon, who lights the night time sky. She is the leader if women all over the world, and she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By changing her face we measure time, and it is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children here on Earth. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Grandmother, the Moon. Now our minds are one.

We give our thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewels. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night, they lead us home. With our minds gathered together as one we send greetings and thanks to the Stars. Now our minds are one.?

We gather our minds together to consider the Wisdom Keepers who have come to help the people throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony, the remind us of the way we were instructed to live. With one mind we send greetings and thanks to the Wisdom Keepers. Now our minds are one.?

No we turn our thoughts to Creator, Shonkwaia'tison, and send our greetings? and our thanks for all the gifts of creation. Everything we need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love that is around us, we gather our minds together as one and send our choicest words of greetings and thanks to the Creator. Now our minds are one.?

We now have arrived at the place we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it is not our intention to leave anything out. If something has been forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send their greetings and thanks in their own way.?

Now our minds are one. Aho!?

May humanity awaken to the boundless potential of compassion, unity, and understanding. May we embrace our shared journey, honoring the diverse threads that weave us together. May kindness guide our actions, wisdom shape our choices, and love illuminate the path forward, so we may create a world where every soul feels valued, every voice is heard, and every heart is free to thrive.