The Onondaga Nation is a sovereign nation of people with its own government. This government has been in existence for countless centuries.
Like other member-nations of the Haudenosaunee, the Onondaga Nation survives today as a sovereign, independent nation, living on a portion of its ancestral territory and maintaining its own distinct laws, language, customs, and culture and the oldest democratic government on Turtle Island.
ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
The Government structure of the Haudenosaunee was established by the Peace Maker centuries ago. The Peace Maker established leaders through the clans of the Nations. These leaders would be selected by the Clan Mother as a person who could carry on the ideals left by the Peace Maker to use Good Mind in making decisions for the people, not only for today, but for the seven generations as well.
The Peace Maker established a council where every nation representative has an equal weight when deliberating a matter. He also created a system of checks an balances between the nations to allow for different positions to be discussed. Once all of the different positions were thought through and a decision was made, it is said that we are of One Mind.
The Structure
The Peace Maker divided the five Nations, the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga and the Seneca into three benches (the Fire Keepers, the Older Brothers, and the Younger Brothers). Each bench of leaders would select a spokesman who would convey the thoughts of their leaders. Once a spokesman stood to speak, they are not interrupted until they sit down and relinquish their time speaking.
The Firekeepers – The Firekeepers consist of the leaders of the Onondaga Nation. Of the 14 leaders, sits Tadodaho, who presides over the council of the Haudenosaunee. The Fire Keepers present an issue to the Council. The first to debate on the issue is the bench of the Older Brothers.
The Older Brothers – The Older Brother bench consists of two nations of leaders, the Mohawk and the Seneca. The Mohawk’s nine leaders and the Seneca’s eight leaders will then discuss the matter presented by the Fire Keepers. Once they are of One Mind, their speaker stands and sends their decision across the council fire to the Younger Brothers.
The Younger Bothers – The Younger Brother bench originally consisted of two nations of leaders, the Oneida and the Cayuga but now also include the Tuscarora. The Oneida’s nine leaders, the Cayuga’s ten leaders and leaders from the Tuscarora hear the decision presented by the Older Brother bench. They then discuss the matter and a speaker stands and sends their decision back to the Older Brother bench.
The Older Brothers now have a decision to make. Are they are being of One Mind with the Younger Brothers? If they are not; the Older Brothers discuss and send a new idea back to the Younger Brother bench to discuss and reply to. If the Older Brothers are of One Mind with the Young Brothers, they will send the decision to the Fire Keepers.
The Fire Keepers now have a decision to make. Are they are being of One Mind with the Older and Younger Brothers? If they are not; The Fire Keepers send a new idea back to the Older Brothers to discuss and then send their decision back to the Younger Brothers for consideration. If the Fire Keepers agree with the decision sent by the Older Brothers and the Younger Brothers, the Fire Keepers announce that we are of One Mind of the issue, we have come to consensus.
This process of government has been in place since the time of the Peace Maker.
Today
Today, the Onondaga Nation consists of a 7,300-acre territory just south of Syracuse, NY on which it maintains its traditional government, sovereignty, and operates outside the general jurisdiction of New York State. The Nation is still governed by a Council of Chiefs, selected in accordance with its time-honored democratic system. In the same vein, many Onondagas practice traditional ceremonies and adhere to religious philosophies and social customs that long predate contact with Western civilizations. Aspects of this ideology have been incorporated into America’s legal system, as well as into its culture. Personal and societal consideration of the Seventh Generation is but one example of a Haudenosaunee world view that has informed, enhanced and enlightened American and other national cultures.
As an independent, sovereign government, the Onondaga Nation government does not pay income, sales, or excise taxes to New York State or to the federal government, nor does it receive any of the benefits paid for by these taxes.