As colonial leaders such as Ben Franklin an Thomas Jefferson visited with the Haudenosaunee. At these meetings, the chiefs discussed how our government works. These meetings provided a framework for the 13 colonies to form a similar government to be free. The old ones say that the new US government borrowed our symbols because they had none of their own.
- The Peacemaker symbolizes Strength and Unity by tying 5 arrows bound together and instructing the eagle to protect and warn the people of dangers. The United States also utilizes the eagle as their national bird. In the eagle’s talons, are 13 arrows bound together.
The Peacemaker symbolizes Goodness and Purity by uprooting a White Pine Tree and sends its white roots in the 4 directions so people can find peace under the long leaves. Each leaf on a tree is 5 needles, growing together. The United States uses the olive branch with 13 leaves as their symbols for goodness and purity.- The Peacemaker has everyone threw their weapons of hatred, jealousy, anger, and war under the great White Pine Tree of Peace – colonists use this to create the saying, “bury the hatchet”.
- The Peacemaker has the chiefs divided into three groups, the Older Brothers, Younger Brothers and the Fire Keepers. Each of the three branches must be in agreement for laws to be passed. The United States has three groups to decide on its laws, the Presidential, Legislative, and the Judicial branches of government. Each section of government must be in agreement for laws to be valid.
- The Chiefs of the Haudenosaunee are symbolized by a white circle wampum with 50 single strings representing each chief. The United States first flag symbolized the union of the 13 states with 13 stars in a circle on a field of blue.
- When the Haudenosaunee comes to a decision, we say Sga•dah hwe’dwayéñ’ ne’ oñgwa’nigoñhä•’ – or we are of one mind. The United States uses “E Pluribus Unum” – From many, one.
- Each chief has an equal say in the decisions for the people and the future 7 generations. The United States has representatives who each have 1 vote to decide on the future.
- The Peacemaker set in process which the council is the voice of the the people. The United States government is also based in this ideal, that the government is for the people.
