The Haudenosaunee

Who We Are

The Haudenosaunee, meaning “People of the Longhouse”, are a group of Indigenous Americans consisting of 6 nations: Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora. Ratewenniio is a member of the Mohawk people. The Haudenosaunee Confederacy — also known as the Iroquois Confederacy or Six Nations — occupied an area from the Genesee River on the west, through the Finger Lakes regions, to the Hudson River on the east in what is known as the Eastern Woodlands cultural area. The confederacy is united by the Great Law of Peace (Kaianere'ko:wa), which is considered both a political constitution and a basis for Haudenosaunee society in general. The Haudenosaunee use the metaphor of the longhouse to describe their political alliance, and its spirit of togetherness also applies to social and cultural life, mirroring the use of the Great Law of Peace as both a political and cultural document.

What This Means to Me

I am proud to represent my people in every way I can. Being a member of a community as rich and connected as this makes me very prideful. When people approach me with questions about my people, about who I am, I am always so excited. Having a chance to explain my history and culture to the world is so important to me. In difficult times like these, it is more important than ever to communicate with the world so our history is not lost with time. It is a sad and heavy reality that our culture is being forgotten; lost or misunderstood in a world moving so quickly forward. Peers and colleagues of mine know little to nothing of the truth, and this is sadly the same for many other Native peoples out there, not just my own. Underrepresentation in every professional field and media network is one of the most difficult issues our people face. I am here, doing what I am doing, to do what I can to try and help.

I want to use my talents and skills to incorporate as much of my culture as possible. I will perform recitals with a theme revolving around culture, I will write more pieces that feature speakers or musicians from my culture, I will invite native teachers to help me on my mission. I will continue to do everything in my power to bring my people more to the foreground. It is such an important conversation to have with everyone. I am lucky to be in a position where my voice can be heard. I have a responsibility to use this musical voice to help others who do not have that voice.

How You Can Make a Difference

Anyone, not just a Native American person, has the ability to help those who need it. Below are three organizations I believe are doing good for our people. Helping with those struggling financially, helping those who want to have their voices heard. Follow the links below to learn more and help however you can. The best thing you can do however is to continue to learn. Listen to those who have a story to tell, who have a message to share. Read what you can about the real history that is attached to these people. The more we all learn, the more we all can grow together.