"You will be kind to visitors," Onatah's grandmother said.
"These two can join the festival after Busk."
She gave Onatah some old animal skins.
"Put these in the fire."
The children walked over to the large fire.
"What is Busk?" Vinnie asked.
"During the Green Corn Festival, we clean our homes completely," said Onatah.
"We burn everything we do not use."
Onatah threw the skins into the fire.
People were staring at them.
"Who are they?" asked one man.
"Vinnie and Mandy," shrugged Onatah.
"Grandmother welcomed them."
"Then you are guests of the Onondaga," said the man.
"Onondaga?" asked Mandy.
The girl nodded proudly:
"We are Onondaga, the People of the Hills.
But Magua is Mohawk."
She pointed to the man.
"Five Indian nations make up the Iroquois, the People of the Longhouse," said Magua.
He held up one hand.
He counted five fingers:
"Oneida, Cayuga, Onondaga, Seneca, and Mohawk."
"Five nations?" asked Vinnie.
"Yes, five nations became one people—the Iroquois!"
said Magua, closing his hand into a fist.
"Vinnie, do you like to fish?"
"I've never tried it," said Vinnie.
"I'll teach you how we fish," said Magua.
"Is it safe to split up?" Mandy asked Vinnie.
"It'll be fine," said Vinnie.
He followed Magua.
"Come," said Onatah, warming to her new friend.
"I'll show you around.
Then we'll go to my house."
They walked past the longhouses.
Mandy saw an animal sign above every door.
"What do these signs mean?" she asked.
"Iroquois people belong to different clans.
Clans are like big families that grow from one woman born long ago," explained Onatah.
"Every clan has its own longhouse.
I belong to the Bear Clan."
The girls arrived at Onatah's longhouse and went inside.
"Let's make a corn husk doll," suggested Onatah.
She gave Mandy some corn hanging from the ceiling.
Mandy also saw floor mats made from corn husks.
"Is corn your main crop?" Mandy asked.
"It is one of three vegetables we call the Three Sisters," Onatah replied.
"Beans, squash, and corn must grow together as sisters do."
Mandy and Onatah husked the corn.
"Let's get some beaver skin for a doll dress," said Onatah.
The girls ran out the door.
Vinnie and Magua got into a canoe.
They paddled out on a nearby stream.
"This is for you," said Magua.
He gave Vinnie a long spear that was in the canoe.
"You catch fish with this?"
asked Vinnie, looking at his spear.
"Watch," smiled Magua.
He carefully aimed his spear and quickly pierced a fish.
"Wow!" yelled Vinnie.
"Is this how everyone does it?"
"Only when we fish alone or with a friend," said Magua.
"Mostly, we use the fish traps we've built."
"Fish traps?" asked Vinnie.
"The stream guides the fish into the trap,"
said Magua, pointing to a large circular dam made out of sticks.
"Then we use a net to catch them."
"Why are you in the Onondaga village?" asked Vinnie.
"I am only visiting.
My people live toward the rising sun," said Magua.
"We are the Keepers of the Eastern Door.
Mohawks protect the Iroquois from the whites in the East."
Raising his spear, Magua moved with great speed.
Then he speared another big fish.