"Long ago," said Clan Mother, "the People of the Longhouse were always fighting.
Mohawk warriors killed Cayuga.
Oneida killed Seneca.
Too many people were dying.
Too many people were crying.
The Onondaga chief, Tadodaho, was very cruel and wild.
His hair was full of snakes.
One day a spirit appeared to a young Indian woman.
The spirit told her, 'Your son will plant the Tree of Peace at Onondaga.'
Her son was Deganawidah.
Deganawidah grew into a young man.
One day, he took his mother to a tree on a hill.
'Mother, you must come to this tree every year,' he said.
'Cut the tree.
If blood flows, I have failed in my journey for peace.
But if sap flows, I am alive and doing well.'
Deganawidah made an amazing canoe out of white stone.
He crossed the river into Onondaga land.
He found a friend there―Hiawatha.
The name Hiawatha means 'the one who combs,'" said Clan Mother.
"Combs what?" asked Vinnie.
"Combs the snakes from Tadodaho's hair," explained Clan Mother.
"Someday, Hiawatha would calm the wild chief.
Hiawatha and Deganawidah went to the land of the Mohawks.
But no one there believed in his journey for peace.
So Deganawidah climbed a very tall tree by a deep river.
'Cut down this tree,' he said.
'If I live, you will know my words are true.'
The Mohawks did as he said."
"Did he die?" interrupted Vinnie.
"Hush," Clan Mother said.
"The next day, the Mohawks found Deganawidah.
He was alive.
The Mohawks believed his message of peace.
Hiawatha and Deganawidah went into Oneida land.
The Oneida people were great friends of the Mohawks.
So they quickly joined in the peace journey.
Soon the Cayuga and the Seneca joined too.
They all became Deganawidah's people," said Clan Mother.
"What happened to the man with snakes in his hair?" Vinnie asked.
"Patience," Clan Mother smiled.
"The four nations now went to see Tadodaho.
'We are to be united as Iroquois,' declared Deganawidah.
'Why should I join you?' Tadodaho roared.
'Onondaga is powerful on its own!'
'But think how strong you would be if all of us were one people,' said Deganawidah.
'If you agree, you will be head chief.'
So Tadodahhoh agreed.
Hiawatha combed the snakes from his hair.
And there, in Onondaga, Deganawidah planted a tree.
Its roots spread all over the earth.
People everywhere who wanted peace could follow the roots to its source:
the Tree of Peace.
'Above this tree I place the eagle that can spy out danger,' said Deganawidah.
'It will prepare you for battles.'
Deganawidah also placed antlers on the heads of fifty chiefs.
They would be the ones to rule the Five Nations.
Then he made a promise to his people.
'Call my name and I will return,' said Deganawidah.
And that is how the Five Nations became united."
Clan Mother dropped her head to her chest and closed her eyes.