August 2, 2005
PRESS RELEASE:
MOHAWK NATION COUNCIL OF CHIEFS STATEMENT CONCERNING THE TRIBE’S APPROVAL TO ALLOW THE ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO TAX, AND TRADE BUREAU INTO AHKWESAHSNE
The Two Row Wampum, a treaty
between the Haudenosaunee and Dutch colonists, was the first treaty made by the
confederacy with European settlers. It is understood by the Haudenosaunee to be
the basis on which all subsequent treaties were made.
Haudenosaunee
Treaty protocol requires that prior to entering into treaties and agreements the
teachings of the Two Row Wampum be discussed and agreed upon.
The wampum belt itself is
white with two purple rows. The two purple rows symbolize two distinct people traveling a river
together, parallel to each other. One row represents the Haudenosaunee and
our customs, language, laws and culture traveling down the river of life in a
Canoe. The other row represents the Europeans and their customs, language,
laws and culture traveling down the river of life in a Ship with sails.
The basic principle is that peace is maintained when the Canoe and the Ship do not interfere in the traditions and laws of the other. The wampum also reminds us that from time to time the Ship and the Canoe would work together; but, in doing so, the principle that neither would attempt to steer the other’s vessel was preserved.
The actions of Native Trading Associates and the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe directly violate the spirit and intent of the Two Row Wampum. The Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs does not condone violence or allowing the Ship’s governments to come into any part of the Mohawk Nation. The Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs believes that peace must be maintained. This would be best accomplished by Native Trading Associates pulling their application with the ATTTB, and by the tribe reversing their decision to allow the ATTTB to come into Ahkwesahsne for inspection or for any other future reasons. The Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs encourages that a meeting take place so we can work towards a peaceful solution.