On February 9, Iroquois activist Doug George-Kanentiio and his wife, Grammy-nominated Native American singer Joanne Shenandoah, presented a lecture at Hamilton College titled "Love, Legends and Land Claims." George-Kanentiio and Shenandoah discussed Iroquois culture and history, and the problems the Iroquois people face today, especially issues regarding native language and casino deals.
Shenandoah began the lecture with a welcoming greeting in her language, which she described as being "very descriptive and very meaningful." Shenandoah went on to discuss her own family lineage and how she is related to Hamilton College, as she is a direct descendent of Chief Skenandoa, the indigenous co-founder of Hamilton.
Shenandoah then gave a brief biography, explaining how she became involved in music; she claimed that as her native name itself illustrates her musical nature, she should have known long beforehand that music was her true calling. Shenandoah then offered a traditional Iroquois song to relax people, and help them "leave all their worries at the door."
Doug George-Kanentiio then began his discussion on "aboriginal issues" and the history of Native Americans in this area. He admitted that he titled his lecture "Love, Land, and Legends" to bring to light that conciliation and understand does exist at Hamilton, especially in light of the recent (negative) media attention the college has received. These three ideas, he claimed, are all intertwined and help "keep the Iroquois together."
"At the core of Iroquois being," he said, is the true affection of communities, the affection Iroquois have for one another, and the love the Iroquois people have for the earth and the natural world.
"Two hundred thirty years ago the Iroquois were trying to accommodate the creation of the United States," he said. According to George-Kanentiio, the Iroquois tried to take a neutral stance in the conflict between the United States and Britain, but were eventually forced into taking a side.
He provided an in-depth explanation of the history between the Iroquois and the Oneidas, among the Oneidas, and between Native American nations and the colonial powers and other local powers, including the Reverend Samuel Kirkland.
The problem, George-Kanentiio declared, is that neither the Iroquois nor the Oneidas stood unified against the colonial powers; instead, because of the factionalizing of nations, the colonists were able to further divide the Native Americans and exploit the various factions of Iroquois groups.
The true reason for this split is over land and territory; "people are torn about by war" he said. During wartime, many Mohawks and Oneidas were driven off their land.
He then spoke at great length about Samuel Kirkland. Kirkland most likely had a deep love and respect for the Oneidas, George-Kanentiio explained, as he set up an institution that brought together both natives and non-natives. By establishing the very institution that would later become Hamilton College, Kirkland demonstrated his respect of Native American culture.
The dream for all Iroquois people is to become a nation once again, George-Kanentiio explained. This dream has been very real even before all the recent litigation, and has been carried forth primarily by women, he noted. "We need to revive our spirits and reestablish our relationship with the earth." George-Kanentiio also emphasized that the Iroquois nation should set the standard and serve as an example for all others to follow as they can show that humans can live in peace.
He shared his distress over the loss of Iroquois culture; "linguistically, we're losing it," George-Kanentiio said. Also, the continued division of Iroquois "worries and sickens" him.
Regardless of the odds, George-Kanentiio emphasized, they are "determined to hold on" and fight for their rights to the land, the history, and the culture.
The lecture was followed by an extensive question and answer session, where the audience was able to voice comments, questions and concerns about casinos, culture, Native American artifacts, and also a possible Native Americans studies program at Hamilton College.
Joanne Shenandoah concluded the lecture and discussion with an original song about Chief Hiawatha.
The lecture was sponsored by the Religious Studies Department.
-- by Emily Lemanczyk '05
