1 00:00:07,400 --> 00:00:14,805 "Long ago," said Clan Mother, "the People of the Longhouse were always fighting. 2 00:00:14,806 --> 00:00:18,143 Mohawk warriors killed Cayuga. 3 00:00:18,144 --> 00:00:22,539 Oneida killed Seneca. 4 00:00:22,540 --> 00:00:25,575 Too many people were dying. 5 00:00:25,576 --> 00:00:28,143 Too many people were crying. 6 00:00:28,144 --> 00:00:34,029 The Onondaga chief, Tadodaho, was very cruel and wild. 7 00:00:34,030 --> 00:00:37,280 His hair was full of snakes. 8 00:00:37,281 --> 00:00:41,622 One day a spirit appeared to a young Indian woman. 9 00:00:41,623 --> 00:00:48,279 The spirit told her, 'Your son will plant the Tree of Peace at Onondaga.' 10 00:00:48,280 --> 00:00:53,070 Her son was Deganawidah. 11 00:00:53,071 --> 00:00:56,600 Deganawidah grew into a young man. 12 00:00:56,601 --> 00:01:00,406 One day, he took his mother to a tree on a hill. 13 00:01:00,407 --> 00:01:05,364 'Mother, you must come to this tree every year,' he said. 14 00:01:05,365 --> 00:01:07,018 'Cut the tree. 15 00:01:07,019 --> 00:01:11,901 If blood flows, I have failed in my journey for peace. 16 00:01:11,902 --> 00:01:16,936 But if sap flows, I am alive and doing well.' 17 00:01:16,937 --> 00:01:21,748 Deganawidah made an amazing canoe out of white stone. 18 00:01:21,749 --> 00:01:25,683 He crossed the river into Onondaga land. 19 00:01:25,684 --> 00:01:29,217 He found a friend there―Hiawatha. 20 00:01:29,218 --> 00:01:35,678 The name Hiawatha means 'the one who combs,'" said Clan Mother. 21 00:01:35,679 --> 00:01:38,882 "Combs what?" asked Vinnie. 22 00:01:38,883 --> 00:01:44,811 "Combs the snakes from Tadodaho's hair," explained Clan Mother. 23 00:01:44,812 --> 00:01:49,400 "Someday, Hiawatha would calm the wild chief. 24 00:01:49,401 --> 00:01:54,417 Hiawatha and Deganawidah went to the land of the Mohawks. 25 00:01:54,418 --> 00:01:58,434 But no one there believed in his journey for peace. 26 00:01:58,435 --> 00:02:03,835 So Deganawidah climbed a very tall tree by a deep river. 27 00:02:03,836 --> 00:02:06,707 'Cut down this tree,' he said. 28 00:02:06,708 --> 00:02:10,906 'If I live, you will know my words are true.' 29 00:02:10,907 --> 00:02:13,748 The Mohawks did as he said." 30 00:02:13,749 --> 00:02:17,340 "Did he die?" interrupted Vinnie. 31 00:02:17,341 --> 00:02:20,105 "Hush," Clan Mother said. 32 00:02:20,106 --> 00:02:23,678 "The next day, the Mohawks found Deganawidah. 33 00:02:23,679 --> 00:02:25,402 He was alive. 34 00:02:25,403 --> 00:02:28,899 The Mohawks believed his message of peace. 35 00:02:28,900 --> 00:02:33,704 Hiawatha and Deganawidah went into Oneida land. 36 00:02:33,705 --> 00:02:37,819 The Oneida people were great friends of the Mohawks. 37 00:02:37,820 --> 00:02:41,162 So they quickly joined in the peace journey. 38 00:02:41,163 --> 00:02:45,010 Soon the Cayuga and the Seneca joined too. 39 00:02:45,011 --> 00:02:50,681 They all became Deganawidah's people," said Clan Mother. 40 00:02:50,682 --> 00:02:56,009 "What happened to the man with snakes in his hair?" Vinnie asked. 41 00:02:56,010 --> 00:02:59,954 "Patience," Clan Mother smiled. 42 00:02:59,955 --> 00:03:04,279 "The four nations now went to see Tadodaho. 43 00:03:04,280 --> 00:03:09,740 'We are to be united as Iroquois,' declared Deganawidah. 44 00:03:09,741 --> 00:03:14,135 'Why should I join you?' Tadodaho roared. 45 00:03:14,136 --> 00:03:17,693 'Onondaga is powerful on its own!' 46 00:03:17,694 --> 00:03:24,491 'But think how strong you would be if all of us were one people,' said Deganawidah. 47 00:03:24,492 --> 00:03:28,700 'If you agree, you will be head chief.' 48 00:03:28,701 --> 00:03:31,830 So Tadodahhoh agreed. 49 00:03:31,831 --> 00:03:35,430 Hiawatha combed the snakes from his hair. 50 00:03:35,431 --> 00:03:40,668 And there, in Onondaga, Deganawidah planted a tree. 51 00:03:40,669 --> 00:03:43,979 Its roots spread all over the earth. 52 00:03:43,980 --> 00:03:49,701 People everywhere who wanted peace could follow the roots to its source: 53 00:03:49,702 --> 00:03:52,072 the Tree of Peace. 54 00:03:52,073 --> 00:03:59,066 'Above this tree I place the eagle that can spy out danger,' said Deganawidah. 55 00:03:59,067 --> 00:04:01,954 'It will prepare you for battles.' 56 00:04:01,955 --> 00:04:07,278 Deganawidah also placed antlers on the heads of fifty chiefs. 57 00:04:07,279 --> 00:04:11,346 They would be the ones to rule the Five Nations. 58 00:04:11,347 --> 00:04:14,606 Then he made a promise to his people. 59 00:04:14,607 --> 00:04:19,335 'Call my name and I will return,' said Deganawidah. 60 00:04:19,336 --> 00:04:23,735 And that is how the Five Nations became united." 61 00:04:23,736 --> 00:04:33,501 Clan Mother dropped her head to her chest and closed her eyes.