Traditional Knowledge Indigenous New york

New York is the original home to the Iroquois Nation, also commonly known as the Haudenosaunee (Ho-den-uh-show-nee) people. The Haudenosaunee were divided into six different nations: Seneca, Cayuga, Tuscarora, Oneida, Onondaga, and Mohawk.

Plattsburgh, New York, our home, was originally home to the Mohawk tribe; the Keepers of the Eastern Door

Important Iroquoian Vocabulary

Megweh: thank you

Wiingaashk: sweetgrass (win-gosh-k)

Minidewak: they give from the heart, referring to the traditional act of gift giving (min-eh-day-walk)

Emingoyak: what has been given or gifted to us, much like the earth's natural resources were gifted to us from skywoman (em-in-go-yuck)

Bozho: hello (bah-zo)

Sky Woman

Long before the world was created, there was an upper world, a land of the Happy Spirits where The Great Spirit lived. In the center of these lands was a big tree, and one day, The Great Spirit pulled up this tree by its roots. This made a hole in the land that overlooked the lower world: a water and cloud covered earth. The Great Spirit called to his daughter, to go through the hole and to go forward into the lower world of darkness. She listened. She came falling down from the sky, holding a bundle of branches tight to her. This woman falling became who we know as Sky Woman. Scared at first, the animals below put on a brave face and decided to save sky woman from her long fall. As the geese caught sky woman to slow her fall, a great, big turtle came and offered his shell to her as a home. After the geese carefully placed Sky Woman on the turtle's shell, the animals realized that she will need land for her new home; so they all came together to hunt for mud and grasses. The loon was the first to dive deep beneath the water, and after many moments...he did not come back up to the surface. Many other animals dove under as well. The beavers, otters, sturgeons all dove under, but all were unsuccessful and did not return to the water's surface. The muskrat was the last to dive and although he gave his life in the process, he succeeded. His clenched paw was holding a small amount of mud, which was spread all over the turtle's shell. The land grew and grew, and eventually became Turtle Island. Now, sky woman was able to plant her gifts. Planting the earth with many flowers, herbs, trees, and medicines. Able to grow from the Sky world light shining through the hole, sky woman tended to these seeds until they were full and green. This is now the home we call earth.

Nanabozho

This story begins with The Creator gathering the four sacred elements- earth, wind, fire, water- and breathing life into them to create the first, original man. This Original Man who was half human, half spirit, was named Nanabozho and was created to walk through the world that Sky Woman had created. He was tasked to go forward to all four directions- north, east, west, and south. Tasked with gratitude for Mother Earth in each step that he takes. Nanabozho first arrived in the east, the home of knowledge. Here, he learned that Mother Earth is our smartest teacher, and to thank her every day for the opportunities she gives us to learn. Along this stage, Nanabozho learned the names of those who he encountered, forming relationships along the way. Next, Nanabozho adventured south, the land of birth and growth. Here, he met the Cedar- the sacred tree- who showed him the protection that her branches may provide. After meeting Cedar, Nanabozho realized that he must learn from those he lived with. When he needed food and materials, he watched the animals and copied them. Spiders taught him how to make a fish net, beavers showed him how to make an axe, and herons taught him how to gather rice. Next, Nanabozho traveled north where he met the home of the medicine teachers. These teachers had gifted him sweetgrass, Wiingaashk, to teach him the ways of healing and kindness. Lastly, Nanabozho arrived in the west, where fear quickly filled his body. As the earthquakes came, and wildfires spread, Nanabozho had found sage, the sacred plant of the west. This sage helped him banish his fears, and arm himself with bravery. He realized that the fires he was afraid of were also the same fires that provided warmth during winter. He soon learned that there are two sides to all forces: the power to create and the power to destroy. When his journey was finished, Nanabozho had learned so much. He had a deep newfound love and appreciation for the land that he would continue to walk on.

Lesson 1: Give more than you take

We can learn from the stories told, especially the Windigo, that the act of taking and greed can flood our hearts with hate and negativity. By giving, we can fill ourselves with love and warmth, much like the three sisters and Sky Woman. By giving, we as humans can start to heal the ice covered hearts in this world.

Peace Point Park, Plattsburgh, NY

This is a turtle sculpture in honor of Sky Woman, and the Turtle Island that her and the animals created. This artwork is located at the Plattsburgh Boat Basin, or commonly known as the Marina

Samuel De Champlain Monument, Plattsburgh NY

Although this monument is truly to honor Samuel de Champlain, the founder of Lake Champlain, he would be completely unable to venture on these lands inhabited by Native Americans without their aid. They gifted Champlain a canoe to travel across the waters, and plenty of nourishing food to fuel his journey.

Champlain Centre Mall, Plattsburgh NY

Located in the mall in Plattsburgh, there are a couple signs throughout the mall that honor our area's indigenous history. The first sign is an exhibit of artwork that details the story of Sky Woman from her arrival to earth, to her death. The second sign is a summary of the Plattsburgh's indigenous past, and the conflicts between the natives and European settlers.