Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address

Q: Introduction

The Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address, also known as the Words That Come Before All Else (Ohén:ton Karihwatéhkwen), is a sacred oral tradition of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, an alliance of six nations: the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora. Originating long before European contact, the Confederacy was bound together by the Great Law of Peace, and the Thanksgiving Address served as a spiritual and political ritual to open and close important gatherings such as council meetings. Rather than a prayer of petition, it is an expression of gratitude that acknowledges and gives thanks to every element of the natural world, from the Earth and waters to the plants, animals, and the powers of the sky. The recurring phrase “Now our minds are one” reflects the Haudenosaunee emphasis on consensus and collective unity, values central to their decision-making and governance. This document offers a window into Indigenous worldviews that predate and exist independently of European intellectual traditions, and it counters narratives that treat Native peoples primarily as subjects of colonization. The text on hand is a modern English rendering developed collaboratively by Mohawk knowledge-keepers and made available through the Tracking Project, which raises useful questions about how oral traditions are translated, preserved, and shared across generations and cultures.

Edited and introduced by

Melissa M. Matthes

Introduction

The Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address, also known as the Words That Come Before All Else (Ohén:ton Karihwatéhkwen), is a sacred oral tradition of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, an alliance of six nations: the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora. Originating long before European contact, the Confederacy was bound together by the Great Law of Peace, and the Thanksgiving Address served as a spiritual and political ritual to open and close important gatherings such as council meetings. Rather than a prayer of petition, it is an expression of gratitude that acknowledges and gives thanks to every element of the natural world, from the Earth and waters to the plants, animals, and the powers of the sky. The recurring phrase “Now our minds are one” reflects the Haudenosaunee emphasis on consensus and collective unity, values central to their decision-making and governance. This document offers a window into Indigenous worldviews that predate and exist independently of European intellectual traditions, and it counters narratives that treat Native peoples primarily as subjects of colonization. The text on hand is a modern English rendering developed collaboratively by Mohawk knowledge-keepers and made available through the Tracking Project, which raises useful questions about how oral traditions are translated, preserved, and shared across generations and cultures.

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“the words we say before we do anything important.”

To all the people present listen today as I say the words of the Creator.

When the earth was new he used dirt and water, and the Creator made man and woman. He instilled in the man and woman’s mind his words which is the Opening Address.

The Opening Address

The Creator put all things on earth to exist in peace and harmony. We now send words to acknowledge and thank the Creator for what he has given us here on Earth. Let our minds be as one. All are agreed.

The People

We are gathered here again to look at where we live. Let us put our minds together as one and greet the People, as they continue to move about on this land. Let our minds be as one. All are agreed.

Mother Earth

Let our minds be as one and give thanks to Mother Earth for everything that she provides so that our minds are at peace while we are here on earth. Let our minds be as one. All are agreed.

Water

We will be of one mind as we acknowledge and give thanks to the waters, the rivers, creeks, puddles and waters that flow underground and we thank the waters that cleanse the earth and quench our thirst. Let our minds be as one. All are agreed.

Fish

We will be of one mind and acknowledge and give thanks to the Fish. They are our food sources so we don’t go hungry. Let our minds be as one. All are agreed.

Roots

The Creator has planted for us different kinds of roots. Some are our foods when we are hungry and some roots help us get through and stop illnesses. Let our minds be as one. All are agreed.

Medicines

We will all be of one mind and acknowledge and give thanks to the medicines. They take care of us and help us heal during illnesses. Let our minds be as one. All are agreed.

Animals

The Creator placed all the animals here on earth. It is glorious that they continue to provide us with sustenance and warmth. Let our minds be as one and acknowledge the wild animals. All are agreed.

Grasses

We will be of one mind as we acknowledge and give thanks to the grasses. They still help, giving us food and medicines. Let our minds be as one. All are agreed.

Insects

We will be one mind as we acknowledge and give thanks to the insects as they continue to take care of the earth. Let our minds be as one. All are agreed.

Birds

We will now look up to the skies where the birds come together. It is nice that we are still able to hear the birds and their songs. They remind us to live peacefully here on Earth. The eagle was put here as the leader of all birds to keep watch over us as we live peacefully on Earth. Let our minds be as one. All are agreed.

Fruits

Now we turn our thoughts to the fruits the Creator has given us. He has made the strawberry the leader of all fruits and as a leader it is still doing what the Creator asked of it. We will now bring our minds as one and acknowledge the fruits. Let our minds be as one. All are agreed.

Plants

And now we turn our thoughts to the Creator for the planted food he has provided for us. We will not go hungry for they still provide for us. We bring our minds as one to acknowledge and theank the vegetables. Let our minds be as one. All are agreed.

Trees

And now we turn our thoughts to the trees that the Creator has planted for us. We can still see the Maple tree, the leader of all trees. They provide us with sap to give us syrup. Let us bring our minds together to acknowledge and thank the trees. Let our minds be as one. All are agreed.

Moon

The Creator has placed our Grandmother the Moon in the heavens. We continue to see her, and she still watches over the coming faces of our babies. Let us bring our minds together to acknowledge and thank our Grandmother Moon. Let our minds be as one. All are agreed.

Winds

The Creator has also made the Four Winds. Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter winds that still blow. Let us bring our minds together to acknowledge and thank the four winds. Let our minds be as one. All are agreed.

Thunder

We will all become of one mind to acknowledge and give thanks to the Thunders for making the waters new again. Let our minds be as one. All are agreed.

The Sun

The Creator gave us our elder Brother the Sun who still gives light, heat, and strength here on earth. Let us acknowledge and thank our Brother the Sun. Let our minds be as one. All are agreed.

Stars

We will become of one mind to acknowledge and give thanks to the stars. Let our minds be as one. All are agreed.

Four Messengers

We will become of one mind to acknowledge and give thanks to the Four Messengers. Their duty is to watch over us, the people. Let our minds be as one. All are agreed.

Creator

We will become of one mind to acknowledge and give thanks to the Creator for everything he has given us here on earth. Let our minds be as one. All are agreed.

We ask the Creator that all the little children be at peace, make it nice as they grow and for them to respect all that the Creator has given us. These are the words you have asked me to say. We acknowledge you, so be it in our minds.

Source

Konwanahktotha Alvera Sargent and Jess Lowe Chaverri. The Opening Address, The Tracking Project, 2024. https://thetrackingproject.org/the-tracking-project-teaching-resources/

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