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Today's episode is taken from the book "Stories The Iroquois Tell Their Children" by Mabel Powers. The book was published in 1917 and is in the public domain.

The name Iroquois is an English corruption of a French corruption of an Algonquian word meaning "real snakes." This may have been an insulting nickname (the Algonquian and Iroquois Indians were traditional enemies,) or it could have just come from a place name which meant "Snake River."   

Today they call themselves the Haudenosaunee or Six Nations, though many people still use the word Iroquois. The six nations are: the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora nations. 

The Haudenosaunee  people have inhabited the areas of Ontario and upstate New York for well over 4,000 years. The culture is rich and complex. Please take some time to learn more about the six nations of the Haudenosaunee  - follow the links below.

Mabel Powers, the author of this book, was devoted to helping to preserve the cultures of the Native Peoples of the America's. She was beloved by the Nations and spent much time living among them and learning their stories and culture.

In 1910 she was invited to participate in the Green Corn Ceremony on the Tonawanda Seneca Reservation. She so impressed the elders of the council that they paid her the highest possible tribute of adoption into the tribe.
She describes the event :
 
                  After holding a long council, the members of the Seneca Nation agreed that I should                       be called ‘Yesennohwehs’ (the One Who Carries and Tells the Stories.

Powers traveled throughout the country, giving lectures on Native American culture, advocating for women’s rights, and promoting world peace.

It's our hope that the stories we share on Kids Myth Plus will inspire curiosity and lead to  further exploration of the diverse cultures that bring such richness to our world.

Thanks for Listening. 

 Links:
Seneca
Onandaga
Mohawk
Cayuga
Oneida
Tuscarora
 Haudenosaunee Fact Sheet for Kids
Haudenosaunee or Iroquois? (Video)

Episode 2 Video Version

Narration and sound design by Aaron James

Please contact us with any questions or comments

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