“We gather our minds to greet and thank the enlightened Teachers who have
come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony,
they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people. With one
mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring Teachers. Now our
minds are one.” — From the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address

Haudenosaunee (hoe-dee-no-SHOW-nee) means “people who build a house.” The term refers to a confederation among six First American nations that was one of the earliest examples in human history of a truly democratic governance structure. The foundation for this confederacy was the “Great Law of Peace,” which emphasized the power of reason over force and the principles of justice and health over violence. The Haudenosaunee Confederacy inspired many of the founders of the U.S. government. Yet, one key idea seems to be missing from so much of our political life today: the idea of power WITH as opposed to power OVER others. On this Sunday before Indigenous People’s Day, we’ll consider the legacy of the Haudenosaunee and how it resonates with our UU faith, and with the state of our U.S. government today.

Topics: All Souls Are Sacred, Community, Power