12 The Peacemaker and the Tree of Peace and the Hero’s Journey
“I have uprooted The Great White Pine Tree. In this cavern we shall toss our weapons of war and bury the hatchets of hatred as we replant the Tree of Peace. On top of this tree I will place an eagle to watch for any dangers that may come to endanger this peace. I will also send out four white roots of peace. If anyone seeks peace, they can trace the roots back and find shelter here.”
Reflection
I am the Peacemaker.
I am the peacemaker. I am steady and sure. A messenger, sent by the Creator. Holy of holy births. I am wise. I am gifted with the powers of speech and persuasion. My words are powerful—magic. They are all carefully fashioned to pierce the heart. By white stone canoe I travel, spreading my message of peace. First to the Clan Mothers on the edge of the battlefield. And then to the warring nations. I teach the way of harmony. The way of love. The way of unity and of peace. The tree of peace is a symbol. Beneath the roots, weapons of war are buried. Evergreen is the bond. This way is everlasting. I bind the arrows. One by one they break, but bound they can not be broken. I see Jikonsahseh as Clan Mother, a symbol to the women. I set Tadodaho as the great keeper of the fire, and the eagle as the great watcher. I am the Peacemaker; I am hero, messenger of peace.
The Story of the Peacemaker and the Great Tree of Peace
Retold by Mrs. Beasley
Many hundreds of years ago, in the far reaches of time, there was fighting and bloodshed. Many people killed, and many were killed. Violence was the norm.
The Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga and Seneca people warred against each other. The land smelled of death. The people lost touch with their ways; their actions saddened the Creator.
And so, into this turmoil and chaos, the Creator sent a messenger to the people to unify the people. This one is known as Dekanawidah, the Peacemaker.
Born to the Huron, on the northern shores of Lake Ontario. Dekanawidah was born to a virgin, and was raised by his mother and grandmother. As he grew, those who knew him, were aware of how special this one was. He had the gift of speech. As he spoke, his words had weight. People listened to him, and heard what he said. He always talked of peace. In his life, his calling was to share the Great Creator’s message of peace.
When he was ready, the Peacemaker carved a canoe out of white stone. He said goodbye to his mother and grandmother. He said goodbye to his village. And in his canoe of white stone, he paddled to the east, embarking to share his powerful message of peace to the warring nations.
Dekanawidah knew that he was to go to the most evil leaders of the people of the five nations. Soon, he came upon a woman. Her name was Jigonsaseh. This woman had no alliances but did provide shelter and food to the warmongers. In this way, she promoted the continuation of the fighting between the clans. The Peacemaker shared his message of peace. At once, her heart was changed, and she pledged to follow him and to help him.
As the first to accept the great peace and change her ways, she became known as the great Clan Mother, the Mother of all Nations. The Peacemaker gifted her and all women with a special task of the five nations, as Clan Mother. The Clan Mother will watch over the members of her clan and counsel them in a peaceful way. Clan Mother will also continue the great peace and select the leaders for the people.
Then, the Peacemaker continued east. Camping near Cohoes Falls, his campfire was made to alert the Mohawks of his presence. Just as he had wished, Mohawk runners came to his campsite asking about who he was and why he was there. “You have been waiting for me,” he said. “My message is the message of peace.” Hesitant to trust him, they challenged him to a test. He was to climb the highest tree by Cohoes Falls and survive the fall after the tree is downed. If he survived the fall, they would know that he had great power, and they would listen to his words. The Peacemaker agreed to the test. He climbed the tree. The tree was cut. As the tree fell, so fell Dekanawida. They both crashed into the river and disappeared over the falls. The Mohawks waited and waited. When Dekanawida did not reemerge from the waters, disappointed, the Mohawk returned to their village. However, early the next morning, smoke was seen in the distance: the thin white wisp of a campfire. The Peacemaker survived. They met him openly, and they trusted his words. Here Ayonwatha joined his quest, and together they traveled to convince the five nations to end the useless war.
Traveling west, seeking out the most evil and dangerous men, the Peacemaker and Ayonwatha told of the arrows, and of all of the nations living symbolically in a large longhouse stretching across the land. The message spread, and peace grew.
But one, an Onondaga man named Tadodaho, the most feared men of the five nations who was said to be so evil that snakes grew from his twisted head, defied all talks of peace. Hiawatha talked of peace to him, and in reply, Tadodaho killed his family.
To convince Tadodaho, all the people joined together. They chanted. They confronted him again, and he resisted. But the message of peace persevered, and in time, his eyes were opened. His heart moved. He understood.
Dekanwida named him the Great Firekeeper. He would lead the Grand Council of 50 chiefs. In this role, he would ensure all decisions made harmonized with the day and for the generations yet to be. As Tadodaho accepted, they “combed the snakes” from his hair.
To symbolize the union of peace, Dekanwida uprooted a great white pine tree. A chasm was made in the earth, and into this gaping wound, all threw their weapons of war. And as they relinquished these weapons they also let go of their anger, and hatred, and jealousy. And then, together, they replanted the tree, and called it the Tree of Peace. On top of the tree, Dekanawida welcomed an eagle. His eyesight is keen. He can look out far and warn of any dangers to their nation.
To record the event, a wampum belt of purple shells was made. Called the Hiawatha Belt, it has five symbols sewn across its center: a symbol for the Mohawk people, the Oneida, the Tree of Peace, the Onondaga, the Cayuga, and the final symbol, the Seneca. These are the Haudenosaunee, the People of the Longhouse, united in peace.
And so, on the shores of Onondaga Lake, in present day central New York, those who once only knew war accepted peace. Those who were blood enemies, became blood brothers and sisters. And in this union, democracy was born.
Resources:
“History: The Birth of a Nation.” Onondaga Nation. https://www.onondaganation.org/history/ Assessed 9 August 2021.
“Story of the Peacemaker.” Learning Longhouse. https://i36466.wixsite.com/learninglonghouse/peacemaker Assessed 9 August 2021.
“The Peacemaker and the Tree of Peace.” First People. https://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/ThePeacemakerAndTheTreeOfPeace-Iroquois.html. Assessed 9 August 2021.
Following the Journey of the Hero: The Peacemaker.
A Nobel Birth into an Ordinary World
How is the hero's lineage mythically established?
The Peacemaker was sent by the Creator to be born among the people at a time of much need. He was to be a “messenger of peace.”
Separation
The Call to Adventure
What calls the hero to take action?
As he grew, he was recognized by others as one with a special gifts of speech and persuasion.
The Refusal of the Call
Why is this hero not following his heart fully as the story begins?
The telling of this story that I have discovered does not give the details of this hero’s experiences as a youth. It moves simply from birth to action. However, the grandmother is ashamed of the birth because the child had no father. She tries several times to kill the baby. Being unsuccessful, she finally accepts that this child really is a special gift and should be raised with great care.
The Mentor and Supernatural Aid
Who help guide the hero to begin the quest?
He is guided by an inner wisdom.
The Crossing of the First Threshold
When the hero reaches manhood, he builds a canoe or white stone and leaves his village to share the message of love, and harmony, and peace to all that would listen. The villagers gather to see him off. He heads east towards the warring nations.
Initiation
Helper/Mentor/Follower
A woman by the name of Jikonsahseh was the first to listen to an accept Peacemaker’s great message. She became a follower. She was recognized as a leader of women — of the Clan Mothers. Ayonwatha and Tadodarho also assisted. After Ayonwatha grief was removed, he became Peacemaker’s spokesperson. Tadodarho was the most evil of all men. He had snakes in his hair. After persevering, and with the help of others, Tadodarho let go of his evil and was given the honorable position as the great Keeper of the Fire.
The tree of peace was made into a symbol for lasting peace.
An eagle atop the tree - symbolizes the watch - protector of peace
The Road of Challenges and Temptations
The story says that “He was tested and had to prove himself.” Details are not given. We are told that in these warring nations, the people are violent and hardhearted. The Peacemaker had to work patiently and prudently to convince him of the way of peace.
Abyss
What is the defeat?
In this particular story, a major defeat was not mentioned.
Revelation - Death and Rebirth
How is the hero reborn?
The peacemaker allows others to be reborn. Ayonwatha and Tadodarho go through transformation as do all of the people.
Return
Atonement
What atonement is made?
The weapons and strife were buried. The 5 nations were bound together.
The Gift/ Reward
Unity and Peace are gifted to the nations.
And so the hero passed from the ordinary into the extraordinary and back again - home. But in the return, changed, transformed. And, bearing gifts for the community.
Questions
What important aspects of life are highlighted in this story?
Other than entertainment, what purpose could this story have?
How are you like this particular hero?
Blessings
Thank you for joining me today! I hope you have a beautiful day! Please leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you. Peace for now, and remember, stay CHARMED ~