The Message of Peace
Excepts From:
THE PEACEMAKER’S JOURNEY
THE MESSAGE OF PEACE:
Excerpts from the Peacemaker’s Journey
Tom Porter
Scene 1 The peace and tranquility of the Huron village is disrupted by
violence, chaos and turmoil. A war dance ensues and there is
bloodshed and death. A mother flees with her young daughter
safety to the remote and secluded Bay of Quinte.
Scene 2 Far away, and in isolation near the Bay of Quinte, the mother
builds a new life for her and her daughter. After many years, the
young daughter mysteriously becomes pregnant. The mother cannot
accept that she has not been with a man and thinks she is lying.
She unsympathetically rejects her daughter. Alone and without any
help, the daughter gives birth to a baby boy. The cruel grandmother,
thinking the child is evil and the result of witchcraft, tries three
times to destroy him.
Scene 3 The Creator’s Messenger appears to the grandmother is a
dream and tells her that the child has been scent to end the
violence and bloodshed and to bring peace and unity to the warring
nations. The grandmother recognizes her wrongdoing and asks
forgiveness. She reconciles with her daughter and grandson they
celebrate as a family.
Scene 4 The young Peacemaker builds a canoe out of stone. He find
finds wampum shells and composes prayers and speeches of
condolence. He foresees the future. When he finishes building his
canoe, he leaves on his journey.
Scene 5 The Peacemaker meets Tsakonsaeh, a controlling and
manipulative woman who knows medicine. Her home represents
neutral ground and she feeds the warriors who come from both east
and west. She encounters the Peacemaker who displays his powers
and tells her of his plan to bring the Great Law of Peace to the
Mohawks. She agrees to supports his plan and he proclaims her the
Mother of Nations.
Scene 6 The Peacemaker is tested by the Mohawk war chiefs who have
him climb to the top of a tall tree, only to cut it down causing his
decent into Cohoes Falls. When he survives unscathed, they accept
his plan of peace and unity.
Scene 7 While in the Mohawk country, the Peacemaker has a vision of a
man named Aionwatha, who will become his helper. In the vision he
sees a witchcraft-man kill Aionwatha’s wife and seven daughters,
causing Aionwatha unbearable grief.
Scene 8 Aionwatha grieves for the loss of his family. Desolated, he
wanders aimlessly in the forest. He finds wampum shells and
composes words of condolence for anyone he might meet who is as
sad as he is sad. When he reaches Mohawk country he meets the
Peacemaker, who is expecting his arrival. The Peacemaker then
condoles him.
INTERMISSION
PART 2
Scene 1
The Mohawk Nation is instructed in
the Great Law of Peace. They install three turtle
clan chiefs. The Peacemaker. Aionwatha and the
Mohawk Chiefs travel to Oneida, where they
encounter no resistance. The Oneidas ask to be
instructed in the Law and they also put up three
chiefs.
Scene 2
The delegation skips over Onondaga
because they are not strong enough to confront
the fierce and powerful Atotarhoh. This man,
with snakes living in his matted hair is so feared
that he must live isolated in the swamps. The
delegation goes on to the Cayugas who also
readily accept the Great Law of Peace.
Scene 3 The delegation then travels to Seneca country. They meet a
young and powerful Seneca war chief, who immediately rejects their
plan, claiming that the Senecas are strong enough without them.
After his young daughter is struck dead by lightning, he realizes
there is a greater power than what he possesses. He then calls the
delegation back for council and accepts the Great Law once it is
agreed that the Senecas will have the power to defend the Nations
in the event that they are attacked.
Scene 4 The Mohawks, Oneidas, Cayugas and Senecas confront
Atotarhoh at Onondaga. After overcoming his evil forms of sorcery
and treachery, they remove the snakes from his hair and heal his
body. He is then installed as the head of the confederacy.
Scene 5 The Peacemaker appoints the women to be the clan mothers.
It is they who choose the leaders of the confederacy, also giving
them the power to remove a delinquent leader. Clan mothers bring
their candidates: the Grand Council is formed when the clan
mothers’ candidates are approved by the chiefs. The Grand Council
is structured like a family, and the Elder Brothers and Younger
Brothers address each other as cousins.
Scene 6 The Chiefs stand fifty strong and the Peacemaker explains how
the roots of the Tree of Great Peace will extend in all four directions.
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