Iroquois Culture

It is customary among Iroquois people, to begin each meeting or gathering with the Ohenten Kariwatekwen or Thanksgiving Address. In this greeting, they acknowledge the contributions of all elements of creation and say thank you. The end of each meeting is closed with similar words.

The Kaswentha or Two Row Wampum is a treaty of respect for the dignity and integrity of the other nation, and stresses the importance of non-interference of one nation in the business of the other.

The early principles established in the Kaswentha formed the basis of all Haudenesaunee treaties with other nations including the Dutch, the French, the British and the the Americans.