Ruler of the Cataracts-Maiden of the Mist
The thundering waters of the Niagara.
Voice of the mighty spirits of the water.
The natives believed and yearly sacrificed
a white canoe with fruit and flowers
and a chosen daughter, until the Christians
came and told them Jesus paid. Not until
Lela-Wala, an only child and motherless,
was chosen did the practice subside.
After she dived, her father Chief Eagle
ran out of the woods and followed her.
1/11/2022
HANDSOME LAKE
He was born as Hadawa'ko “Shaking Snow.”
Handsome’s half-brother was Cornplanter.
My heritage from People of the Longhouse —
John married Margaret, a French woman.
She birthed Helen, my great-great-great grandma.
Together they lived on a reservation.
Handsome was born in 1735 in a Seneca village
on the Genesee River into the Turtle Clan —
later he was adopted into the Wolf Clan.
Doubtless my relatives knew of Handsome Lake.
He signed the U.S. treaty with the Six Nations.
1/11/2022
Referenced Wikipedia.com and webwinds.com
Categories:
longhouse, native american,
Form: Free verse
HOLDER OF THE HEAVENS
religion of love —
the Holder of the Heavens
spurs unity and purpose
the longhouse people
strong belief in afterlife
honored Spirit…lived good life
forever friendships
less crime ~ police force null
embraced Christianity
with brotherly care
the Iroquois weave gardens
enforced with no social caste
prayer and praise to God —
tobacco like incense lifts
with thankfulness...wampum tribe
11/26/2018
Line Gauthier’s Tribute to Native Culture Poetry Contest
References:
prezi.com
http://www.departments.bucknell.edu/environmental_center/sunbury/website/HistoryofIroquoisIndians.shtml
https://iroquoisgroup24.weebly.com/religious-beliefs-and-ceremonies.html
Categories:
longhouse, native american,
Form: Choka
My great great great grandfather...
a long time ago
the people of the longhouse
kept my ancestors
8/17/2018
* I have a bit of Native American in my background :)
Categories:
longhouse, native american,
Form: Haiku