Haudenosaunee have told stories for generations and these stories mean everything to them. Stories are their history laid out through the mouths of storytellers, who for years were the only source to reviewing the stories. Stories happen by oral-tradition and these stories tell life lessons in a fun and unique way so that Haudenosaunee can recall their past, live in their present, and better help the future. Haudenosaunee repeat the stories so that they can keep in touch with their culture and beliefs. The most important story to the Haudenosaunee as I soon discovered is that of the creation story. The story tells of a woman known as sky-woman and her journey to turtle island, where life as we know it began. The story continues to lead us through the journey of sky-woman's two grandsons who bring the world's elements and creatures to life by creating them with the help of their father, turtle man. One brother brings good and one brother brings harm, such as roses and thorns, fox and rabbit, but both are necessary to the earth and its functions. The story eventually concludes after other people are created and the brothers learn to except that all elements are needed to make the earth a living place. Perry Ground (pictured below) was the story teller at Gonandagan Winter Games. Storytelling is a lively event and one that will live on until the end of time.
~Paige Austin
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