The Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address, written and published in 1993
by Six Nations Press in all six Haudenosaunee languages, translated later here
from the Mohawk version by John Stokes and Kanawahienton (aka David Benedict).
The People
Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life
continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each
other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we
give greetings and thanks to each other as people.
Now our minds are one.
The Earth Mother
We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives
us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her.
It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning
of time. To our mother, we send greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Waters
We give thanks to all the waters of the world for quenching
our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in
many forms—waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one
mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit of Water.
Now our minds are one.
The Fish
We turn our minds to the all the Fish life in the water.
They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water. They also give themselves
to us as food. We are grateful that we can still find pure water. So, we turn
now to the Fish and send our greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Plants
Now we turn toward the vast fields of Plant life. As far as
the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life
forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to
seeing Plant life for many generations to come.
Now our minds are one.
The Food Plants
With one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food
Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time, the grains,
vegetables, beans and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living
things draw strength from them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as
one and send them a greeting of thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Medicine Herbs
Now we turn to all the Medicine herbs of the world. From the
beginning they were instructed to take away sickness. They are always waiting
and ready to heal us. We are happy there are still among us those special few
who remember how to use these plants for healing. With one mind, we send
greetings and thanks to the Medicines and to the keepers of the Medicines.
Now our minds are one.
The Animals
We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to
all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people.
We are honored by them when they give up their lives so we may use their bodies
as food for our people. We see them near our homes and in the deep
forests. We are glad they are still here and we hope that it will always be so.
Now our minds are one
The Trees
We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many
families of Trees who have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us
with shelter and shade, others with fruit, beauty and other useful things. Many
people of the world use a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. With one
mind, we greet and thank the Tree life.
Now our minds are one.
The Birds
We put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who
move and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them beautiful songs. Each
day they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be
their leader. To all the Birds‐from the smallest to the largest‐we send our joyful greetings and
thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Four Winds
We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds.
We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we
breathe. They help us to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions
they come, bringing us messages and giving us strength. With one mind, we send
our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds.
Now our minds are one.
The Thunderers
Now we turn to the west where our grandfathers, the Thunder
Beings, live. With lightning and thundering voices, they bring with them the
water that renews life. We are thankful that they keep those evil things made
by Okwiseres underground. We bring our minds together as one to send greetings
and thanks to our Grandfathers, the Thunderers.
Now our minds are one.
The Sun
We now send greetings and thanks to our eldest Brother, the
Sun. Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west, bringing the
light of a new day. He is the source of all the fires of life. With one mind,
we send greetings and thanks to our Brother, the Sun.
Now our minds are one.
Grandmother Moon
We put our minds together to give thanks to our oldest
Grandmother, the Moon, who lights the night‐time sky. She is the leader of woman all over the world, and
she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face we
measure time, and it is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children
here on Earth. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our
Grandmother, the Moon.
Now our minds are one.
The Stars
We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky
like jewelry. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness
and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night,
they guide us home. With our minds gathered together as one, we send
greetings and thanks to the Stars.
Now our minds are one.
The Enlightened Teachers
We gather our minds to greet and thank the enlightened
Teachers who have come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how to live
in harmony, they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people.
With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring teachers.
Now our minds are one.
The Creator
Now we turn our thoughts to the creator, or Great Spirit, and send greetings and thanks for all the gifts of Creation. Everything we need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love that is still around us, we gather our minds together as one and send our choicest words of greetings and thanks to the Creator.
Now our minds are one.
Closing Words
We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it was not our intention to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way.
Now our minds are one.
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