Haudenosaunee attend International Religion Conference in Tokyo

by Phil Arnold

The Haudenosaunee have emerged as voices needing to be heard on behalf of the natural world. An invitation to such a prestigious gathering is indicative of a recognition and thirst for the teachings of indigenous peoples by a global community. The Haudenosaunee believe care and respect for all forms of life is fundamental to the survival of all creatures who share our Mother earth.

–Wendy Gonyea, member of the Haudenosaunee delegation

In early 2003 the International Association for the History of Religions (IAHR) and the United Nations University invited Oren Lyons, Jr., Faithkeeper of the Onondaga Nation and Professor of American Studies at University of Buffalo, to be a keynote speaker for their April 2005 meeting in Japan. The invitation to Oren was extended to five others of the Haudenosaunee*. The organizers’ hope was to connect scholars of religion with indigenous people.

Getting visas for the trip proved to be a complicated affair – the Haudenosaunee are the only indigenous people in North America, and perhaps the world, who travel on their own passports. Oren spent an entire day explaining to the Japanese Consulate Office in New York City why the Haudenosaunee travel on their own passports. They finally got their visas the day before we left.

We spent the first days in Kyoto. The leadership of a Shinto religious movement came and heard Oren speak, and invited us to their museum. We were fed from their organic farm, given a private tour of the collection of art from the world’s religions, exchanged gifts, and concluded our visit with a Taiko drumming concert and a healing ceremony.

At the IAHR meeting, scholars and other indigenous people were astonished by the news of the Onondaga Nation’s Land Rights Action. It gave all who listened great hope that indigenous people were taking such a stand in favor of Creation. Everywhere we went the Haudenosaunee delegation was treated with tremendous respect.

After this trip I am convinced of the singularity of the Haudenosaunee determination and message. It gave me great joy in knowing that we can help extend the message of the Great Law of Peace to the world. We are fortunate to live in upstate New York so near the Onondaga Nation, the Central Fire of the Haudenosaunee.

*Haudenosaunee are people of the long house, comprised of the traditional governments of the Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Mohawk and Tuscarora Nations. Onondaga is the Central Fire (analogous to being a country’s capital) of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

–Phil Arnold is a professor of religion at Syracuse University who attended the conference with the Haudenosaunee