The Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and The Great Law of Peace
rigneyclan
Posts: 289
Many people don't know, and I just learned last week, that the U.S. Constitution was based on the Haudenosaunee, or tribe's own constitution, The Great Law of Peace.
Past historians have said that The Great Law of Peace was created in the 1500's resulting from contact with Europeans (which is, in my opinion, racist) but now we have learned that it was ratified on August 31st, 1142 making it the oldest constitution in history. Some of the ideas that the founding fathers borrowed from The Great Law include impeachment, a two-house congress, separation of powers, a system of checks and balances, and the public's ability to freely voice their opinion. The U.S. also borrowed the symbol of the eagle and the arrows representing the 13 colonies from the Iroquios Confederacy (their were 5 nations during the time of the creation of the Law, but today, there are 6). And what I find most amazing, is that the chiefs of the tribe memorize their entire constitution, and read it off of belts made out of shell beads (wampum.) And it takes them four, eight hour days to finish reading it :shock:
Here's some background info on The Great Law of Peace: http://www.championtrees.org/yarrow/greatlaw.htm
just thought you guys might find that interesting 8)
Past historians have said that The Great Law of Peace was created in the 1500's resulting from contact with Europeans (which is, in my opinion, racist) but now we have learned that it was ratified on August 31st, 1142 making it the oldest constitution in history. Some of the ideas that the founding fathers borrowed from The Great Law include impeachment, a two-house congress, separation of powers, a system of checks and balances, and the public's ability to freely voice their opinion. The U.S. also borrowed the symbol of the eagle and the arrows representing the 13 colonies from the Iroquios Confederacy (their were 5 nations during the time of the creation of the Law, but today, there are 6). And what I find most amazing, is that the chiefs of the tribe memorize their entire constitution, and read it off of belts made out of shell beads (wampum.) And it takes them four, eight hour days to finish reading it :shock:
Here's some background info on The Great Law of Peace: http://www.championtrees.org/yarrow/greatlaw.htm
just thought you guys might find that interesting 8)
7/16/06 7/18/06
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Thanks, a very interesting read, more people should learn about this.