CHIEFS

The Onondaga Nation is a sovereign nation of people with its own government. This government has been in existence for countless centuries.

Hoyane - "Chiefs"
The entire Haudenosaunee has 50 chiefs. The chiefs are all considered equal. To show that they are leaders, the Peacemaker places the antlers of the deer on the Gustoweh (headdress) of every Hoyane. When in council, every chief has an equal responsibility and equal say in the matters of the Haudenosaunee. The Peacemaker envisioned the chiefs holding hands in a large circle. Inside the circle are the laws and customs of our people. It is the responsibility of the chiefs to protect the people within the circle and to look forward seven generations to the future in making decisions. If individuals do not follow the laws and customs of the Haudenosaunee, they have "left the circle" and are no longer under the protection of the chiefs.

Each nation was allocated a certain amount of leaders by the Peacemaker. At Onondaga, there are 14 Hoyane or Chiefs. The chief titles originate from the original 50 leaders' names from long ago. Tadadaho is a chief still sitting at Onondaga. Hiawatha, is still a chief among the Mohawk nation (he was adopted by the Mohawks to help form the first councils there). Each chief works with his Clan Mother and their clan. In council they are the voice of the people. When a decision by council has been passed, it comes with the backing of all chiefs in agreement and is said to be "Of One Mind."

Once a man is selected to be a Hoyane, he holds that position for life. Men do not "campaign" within the community for such positions. All of the Clan Mothers carefully watch the behavior of the little boys, how they grow into young adults and then their actions when they become men and decide if they should be a leader. If they see a man who fulfills the qualities of a leader, they will select him to replace the departed Hoyane. If a leader is not fulfilling his responsibilities to the nation and the clan, he can be removed. If the leader still does not changes his ways, the clan removes his symbol of power (the deer antlers) and is "de-horned."