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North American Indian Hall of Fame
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Peguis
Peguis was born near Sault St. Marie in 1774 He was a
Saulteaux (Ojibway) Chief and his name, Peguis, means
"Destroyer".
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While still a young man, he led a group of his people
westward to the fringe of buffalo country. Because they
were attracted t a this Red River area, they remained and lived in close assbciation with the traders and settlers.
The; material and moral support that Peguis gave to the
survivors of the so-called Seven Oaks Massacre, saved the
new community called Red River Settlement from threatened annihilation.
PeguiSj along with the other chief was a signatory to the
land treaty made, with Lord Selkirk in July 1817. It was not
disputed untU I860, when Peguis protested that its terms
Were being violated by the non-Indians. He died in 1864
without, finding a solution for these treaty grievances.
The descendants of the settlers in 1924 erected a mohu ,
ment to commemorate his contribution to the settlement of
Manitoba:
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Navy woman Emily £. Colwell, daughter of Betty Cook
Brooks serving aboard the Seventh Fleet Ship USS
Jason.
Photo Courtesy of JO1 John G. Bachcller
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By Tehanetorens
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(From a booklet produced by the Akwesasne Mohawk
Counselor Organization)
The French colonies depended upon the fur trade for their
existence. The war parties of the Iroquois practically put an
end to ail French fur trade. The Iroquols invaded the Island
Wayne R. Cook
Wayne R. Cook, 42, of Cook Road, died suddenly on Sun- of Montreal and had wiped out every Frenchman in the enday, September 1% 1985 at the Hotel Dieu Hospital in Corn- tire colony who had not secured protection in the format the
Obituary
wall. He wsp born April 17th, 1943 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania He was the son of the late Frank B. Sr.,and Delina
WilUams Cook. He was married on June 10th, 1978toWilma
Square inNewport, Kentucky.
He served in the U«$/Marines, was an Ironworker of Local
#823, a meniJr>er pf the Massena Loyal Order of Moose and a
member of the:Ainertcan Legion Post 1479, Hogansburg.
Surviving relatives are; his wife Wilma, his mother Delina,
who resides iri Rochester, N.Y., a son Phillip, step-son
"Thomas Chubb Jr., three daughters, Stephanie of Los
Angefes, C.^., Mrs. Sain (Jennifer) Johnson of St. Regis,
Quebec, Yvetteat home, his brothers Frank Jr. of River
Roadj Hogansburg, Gerald and Andrew of Rochester, N.Y.,
his sisters, Mrs, Fratnk (Diane) Insalacp, Mrs. Joseph (Chris)
iclema, Mrs. ThOrnas (Joy) Cringoli, Mrs. Steven (Amy)
Leonardo and Mrs. Mark 0anet) Magliocco all residing in
Rochester, rte has one Grandson Tyrell Johnson of St. Regis.
A ifuneral Mass was held at the St. Regis Parish Church, at
11:00 a.m. and the buriar took place at the. St. Regis
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During the wars in Europe between the French and the
English these two nations who had colonies in America
spared no effort to get the different Indian nations in
America to fight against their rivals in the New World. Both
the French and the English desired the fur trade of the Iroquois and other Indian nations. Both the French and the
English cast greedy eyes on the lands of the Iroquois. Both
claimed the Iroquois Country as their own. The Iroquois
never admitted that either the French or the English had any
claim over them or their country. (Part of speech of
Sadekanatie to Gov. Fletcher of Albany May, 1694: "You say
that we are subjects to the King of England and the Duke of
York. We say we are brethren and take care of ourselves."
Again this Iroquois speaker informed the English Governor,
"The privilege of meeting in General Council when we
please, is a privilege we always enjoyed; no former Governor, pf the name of Corlear (New York State), ever
obstructed this privilege. We planted a Tree of Peace in this
place with them. Its roots and branches extend as far as
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Virginia and New England, and we have reposed with
pleasure under its shade. Brother, let us keep to that first
Tree and let us be united and unanimous, such prohibition
Colwell, a hull technician. "The project was a chance to get
of
our assemblies will be of ill consequence, and occasional
away from the ship and at. the same time accomplish
,
differences
between us.") Needless to say, York colony was
w
by Aroniawenrate
something worthwhile."
wise to see that they had better agree with the Onondaga
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Navy hull technicians perform a variety of services for the
I swam in the St. Lawrence River only once this summer,
and let the matter rest if they valued their own saferepair and maintenance of ships. Among these, they serve as just a little ways from where the snapping turtle studied by speaker
ty. The English governor encouraged the Five Nations to atplumbers and welders' and instruct and supervise damage Ward Stdne.was captured. I was trying to do my own captur- tack the French and their allies. The French likewise encontrol teams. "I'm presently work center supervisor, in the ing of memories, from childhood. It's the same river my un- couraged the Hurons, Eries, Susquehannocks and Other Insail loft," saids Colwell. "I supervise and manufacture cle and I used to fish in from a rowboat. A tin cup on a string dian nations to attack the English and the Iroquois. The unbrpwskirts, windscreens, repair canvas bags and similar hung near an-. oarlock, for dipping into the river for a drink. I fortunate Iroquois, whose Confederacy had been formed to
items. My shop also does reupholstering of all types of fur- suppose that evert pack then we were taking in pollutants we
about peace among all people, tried in va*n to get the
niture. In addition, I'm also the division career counselor, (and no one else, including back then "Science") didn't bring
French and the English to cease warfare and invited them to
training petty officer and divisional maintenance petty of- know about. It sure didn't take long for disaster to hit, did it? take shelter beneath their Tree of Peace. Their efforts were
ficers." :.'••, •-..•;. •'
• • . . ' • • • ' ' . " • '•'. •.-. ' •••;: • Yes, that's what I call it, a disaster: and that's exactly what it wasted. The Five Nations living between these two rival
While these tasks are far from the idea that some people
white colonies realized that they were being used as tools
may have of a woman who graduated the Ogdensburg Free
I stepped into the water. It didn't feel right at all. No feel- and during all the wars between the warlike Europeans,
Academy in 19(68, Colwell sees nothing uniisal in her job.
ing of that former clean, sweet water, but instead the water they, the Iroquois, were the main ones to suffer. Because of
:••' 'Before 1 enlisted in the Navy, I was a truck driver," she seemed too dark and almost creepy, And it stinks, really the various wars between the white races they the Five Nasaid with a grin. "My 15-year-old daughter, Terrill, and a stinks! I didn't stay in very long, just a short swim and out. tions Iroquois, as a people, were to dwindle to less than half
fourteen-year-old son, Craig, think it's great that I'm doing And as I dried Off, the smell of what's in the river was on me. Of their original number. Yet they stuck to their treaty with
what I enjoy."
. Kind of depressing.
the English and, after their vain attempt at peace, continued
.Colwell said she enlisted in the Navy in March 1981,
So here we are, situated close to one the of the largest to spread terror among the French until that people were
"because I liked what the Navy had to offer and I felt that I fresh water sources on this earth. But it ain't fresh no more. defeated. All English colonies had much to thank the irocould expand."
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You don't heed a cluster of industrial plants and sewage quois for protection against the French and their Indian
After recruit training in Orlando, Florida, inhere she was treatment outlets to know that this great river is a dying allies. There is all truth in" a statement by the Onondaga
assigned to general duties at Pearl Harbor (Hawaii) Naval Sta:; creature, and its death hints at our own. Even scientists,
Council to the Governor of York Colony concerning this
tion for a few months before attending hull technician trairi: have asked me, ''Do you think there's time left to save all Iroquois protection. "Brother Cayenguirago (Gov.
ing in San Francisco. She reported tojason in 1982! "I enjoy this?" And my answer to them and to everyone, especially Flethcher),—* When the Christians first arrived in this couru
this assignment because it's versatile and I learh a lot," she myself is; yes, we must assume that there is time, if the pro- , try, we received them kindly. When they were but a small
said. "I've enjoyed visiting other countries, particulary Japan cess of renewal begins immediately. Not tomorrow, but to- people, we entered into a league with them, to guard them
when? I find the people fascination."
from all enemies whatsoever. We were so fond of their
day.
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Colwell, one of about 150 women in a variety of jobs on ' - "• Among the native nations (indigenous) of this earth exist society, that we tied the great canoe which brought them,
Jason, said she believes women are a definite asset on Navy
many
forfris;
of
ritual/ceremony/celebra- not with a rope of bark to a tree, but with a strong iron chain
ships, "They provide a sense of competition and challenge^ tiori/^rayer/chant/meditation, all in praise of this good earth. fasteneded to a great mountain. Now, before the Christians
both in and out of the job situation," she said. At the same A, thanks-giving for all that the earth has given us, a promise arrived, the General Council of the Five Nations were held at
time, she said, "Sea duty isn't easy. This deployment has to the earth that we, as guardians, will see to it'that the life Onondaga, where there has been from the beginning, a congiven me patience and a better understanding of what men cycles of all her creatures continue. A very basic philosophy tinual fire kept burning; it is made of two great logs, whose
in the Navy have gone through for many years. Being away indeed, the caring for what Creation has given us. Never, flames never extinguishes. As soon as the Hatchet Makers
from your family for seven months and not knowing day-to- among these native peoples is the thought based upon ins- (Christians) arrived, the Great council at Onondaga planted a
day what's happening—that's hard," she said.
tant reward. Each and every thought and plan, to the Tree at Albany, whose roots and branches have since spread
building
of a shelter Or the planting of a crop is "reasoned". as far as New England, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland
Colwell is one of the few women in the Navy to have earned the enlisted surface water specialist badge. "I know I was "TJiis use of Oriwa gives us the strength to think seven and Virginia; and under the shade of this Tree all these
the first woman on this ship," she said. "It tpoka Jqtofwork generations ahead. Each and every thing we do affects the English colonies have frequently been sheltered."
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future unborn of our people and of all else in Creation.
Tradition says that the Oneidas, after they had left the
What is Canada thinking of doing? Damming James Bay so
that it does riot enter Hudson Bay, and then selling this fresh region of Oswego, settled on the banks of Oneida Lake
water to the USA. We know all about James Bay, though, where Oneida Creek enters. From there they gradually
spread oiit moving east of Oneida Lake and forming their
don't we? Mercury, anyone?
It is these kinds of insane schemes which lead to en- main village called Ga-no-a-lo-hale (A Head On A Pole). Their
vironmental disaster. Consider Project Archipel: as Quebec several settlements covered the elevated lands at the heads
plans
to dam the St. Lawrence and kill the last great rapids, of the streams bordering Oneida Lake. They were ihus
by John G. Bacheller
the Lachine Rapids. And of course, in the process it will turn located when the whites first appeared in their country.
Mansfield, Pa. •— For most sailors, a port visit during a long
It is recorded that the Oneidas, as well as other Iroquois,
Kahnawake into a swamp. An infringement on our
deployment is a chance to relax, perhaps do some shopping
were very friendly toward the white settlers from Europe.
sovereignty,
right?
or catch up on some sleep.
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Let the good bid USA solve its own fresh water problems, From the very first contact with white people, from the era
But for Petty Officer Second Class Emily E. ColweuY the
Joyce 'Barkley, St. Regis Road, is one of the four Russian especially
New York: State. A problem in logic is what they'll of Henry Hudson, in 1609, to the coming of the Dutch setvisit of her ship to the U.S. Facility at Subic Naval Base in the Language students at Salmon River chosen for the yearly trip have, and do
have. Good, a new beginning for them. Instead tlers to the Valley of the Hudson-Mohawk, they were ever on
Republic of the Philipines was a chance to help other people;
t o R u s s i a . .
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planning everything with Profit as motive, let them begin terms of the closest amity. When the English took over the
as well.
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Every year, those 1 lth and 12th grade Russian language of
to
that great power given every human: Reason. And let Dutch colony, assuming sovereignty, in 1664, the same
The 35 year oldtiaughter of Mrs._Betty Cook Brooks of 22 Students who meet the qualifying grades are chosen for the us use
close relations were continued. The Oneidas carried on an
keep reminding them to think in terms of tomorrow.
First St., Mansfield., Pa., was one of the nearly a dozen men trip. Mr. Michael Kukle, the Russian Language teacher,
right here at Akwesasne, a new source of fresh water extensive fur trade with these early English settlers. This
and women from the Eleventh Fleet Repair Ship USS Jason
chooses the students and makes arrangements for the trip to is And
desperately
needed. Let's not settle for flouridated river trade was uninterrupted and the peace was faithfully
who donated a day of time off duty. Working side by side T*ussia. (Mr, Kukie used to teach at the St. Regis Mohawk
preserved by the Oneidas and the English colonies. Not a
with sailors and Marines from the armed forces of the; School in Hogansburg). Under Mr. Kukie's supervision; the water, What w'e want and need is a source from the Adiron- drop of blood was shed, to disturb the hundred and more
dacks,
as
suggested
by
TsiTso
a
while
back.
With
all
those
Philipines, they painted a school and a hospital at Balariga in
language students sell candy bars and run a candy store at
rivers from there entering the St. Lawrence right here at years of harmony.
Bataan province.
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Sajmon River to finance the trips.
The hospitality of the Iroquois is well known. To them it
Akwesasne, as part of our Land Rights (not land claims), let
In addition, they delivered supplies provided through the
Besides Joyce Barkley, the three students going to Russia
was a way of life and came as natural as breathing. Many a
us
demand
that
two-of
those
rivers
be
returned
to
us.
Yes,
U.S. Navy's Project Handclasp.
.
' \ •wtll.-be Penny Anderson, Sean Reynolds and Randy Pulsifer.
they were under our guardianship, weren't they? From the • poor white settler was aided by these first Americans. When
The civic action project came as USS Jason visited the
v They will leave Montreal March 31, 1986 and return April
lakes
which feed them/and all the way to here, with a ten the poor Palantine Germans settled at Weisersdorf (N.Y.S.) it
Philipines enroute to its home port of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii,
12 They will spend 2 days in Helsinki, Finland and 4 days
mile
buffer
zone around the lakes and on either side of the was only through the kindness of the Jroquois, who showed
at the end of a six-month deployment to the western Pacific. cich in Moscow and Leningrad, U.S.SiR.
rivers
in
question,
let these be returned to^the Mohawk Na- them how to find food in the forest and who gave them of
and Indian oceans. It was the latest of three such projects in-.
Joyce Barkley; now in 1 lth grade, has been studying, the tion under guardianship. Think about it! It's not at all their own stores of food, that the little colony survived.
volving volunteers from the crew during employment.
Russian language (and selling candy bars!) since 7th grade.
unreasonable when you consider the mess the non-Indian When their little ones cried for food, it was the Oneidas who
"It gave me a chance to meet and help other people," said Joyce is the daughter of Christie Garrow Barkley. •
gave them meat, corn and bread. The English and Dutch set-.
has made of these riyers (not to mention this continent).
tiers were likewise aided by the Iroquois. Says a historian,
Which means what? It means that our efforts at regaining Francis
Drake, of the Oneidas, "Brave in war, mild in peace,
these rivers and lakes must be done on a. united front. Fac- and hospitable
under all circumstances no visitor or
tiohalism in political, religious, educational and Bingo- wayfarer, white or
red, ever entered their cabins without
thinking must be set aside. If we are to win we can only do having his wants supplied
and being kindly put on his
so working as one people.
track."
And if we are to win we must also know what we can OfDo you recognize anyof these people? Our thanks go to two
The Moravian missionary, Rev. John Heckewlder, who
fer. How dp we clean those rivers and lakes? How do welabored
community members for sharing these photos. If you have
among the eastern Indians (1762) says of Iroquois
plan seven generations ahead? We must educate ourselves to hospitality:
any you'd like to share with us, call 358-9535 or bring them
"They think that the Great Spirit made the earth
environmental
problems.
What
are
PCB's?
What
does
merto the Indian Time office at Racquette Point.
and
all
that
it contains for the common good of mankind;
cury andi leid in your drinking water do to you and your when he stocked
the country that he gave them, with plenty
family? Why is acid rain? And most important: what are the of game, it was not
for the benefit of a few, but for all.
cures to thes<Spr6blerris?
Everything was given iri common for the sons of men. From
Obviously we must educate ourselves. How do we do
principle, hospitality flows as from its source. With them
that? By cprisfwltihg with those on our own environmental this
it is not a virtue, but a strict duty. Hence they are never in
and health service$ organizations right here at Akwesasne. search of excuses to avoid giving, but freely support their
By inviting ^ such; people as Ward Stone to explain just neighbors wants from the stock prepared for their own use.
what the rnahy prdblems are, and most important of all: how They give and are hospitable to all without exception, and
to solve thejse ^oblems; ir won't happen overnight, that's will always share with each other and with the stranger, even
for sure. But, HKei said, if we begin the process nowAodzy, it to their last morsel. They rather would lie down themselves
will mean we hayc" begun!
on an empty stomach than have it laid to their charge that
Daughter of Betty Cook
Brooks Helps in Civil Action
Project
and study, but I feel that it was worth it."
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: Colwell said she plans to remain in the Navy at least 20
years and has set her sights on becominga master chief petty
officer, the highest enlisted paygrade.
"AH I have to do is work far it," she said, '"and I'm not
afraid of work."
; Akwesasne Student
Tfrayelling to Russia
Familial* Faces?
A.
B.
they had neglected their duty by not satisfying the wants of
Talkecl with Randy Hart some while ago about having the stranger, the sick or the needy."
workshops on environmental and health issues. If we
a noted Iroquois, once told the English that
become more aware of the problems, perhaps each of us theCanassetego,
Great
Spirit
ago had said to his fathers: "Nourish
could decide on which particular area we can work. We and instruct yourlong
children as 1 have nourished and instructed
can't keep leaving }t up to a few already-overworked people you. Be just to all men, and kind to strangers that come
to carry the burden for the rest of us.
among you. So shall ye be happy, and be loved by all and I
Indian Time can, help by printing a special section on en- myself shall sometimes visit and assist you."
vironmental news. As a matter of fact we have been doing so
At different periods in their history the Oneidas adopted
stacel.T. started. But we'll try harder to concentrate on local and
gave lands to refugee tribes. The Tuscaroras,
problems, asking our local experts for their input. Myself, I Stockbridges,
Brothertons and Canestogas were among such
made up a tJt|e already: ESP/A. Which translates to: EN- adopted peoples. The Oneidas gave the Tuscaroras lands
VIRONMENTAL SU&VIVAL PROJECT/AKWESASNE. And I between the Unadilla and Chenango Riven. The Mohekunenvisioned Kahiiawake after that slash, or Kanensatake. nuks were given land a few miles south of Oneida Castle.
Wouldn't that bey something, each settlement of our Six Na- South of Clinton, N.Y. the New England Indian refugees
SP program ongoing and exchanging infor- were given land and protection.
I a dream,t ?either,
for: wasn't that the way
Ycs w
END PART TWO
fr * P
' e nccd ^ b l i h
(To be continued in the next issue of Indian Time)
m basic thougnts based on conversations
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Input on It. Should we begin hatv* ' IHow?
D.
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