The solar eclipse, known as odähgwahdóñh, is a significant symbol of the inception of the Haudenosaunee community. Approximately a millennium ago, the five nations forming the Haudenosaunee Confederacy united to establish the Gayaneñhsä’gónah, or the Great Law of Peace, coinciding with a solar eclipse. These nations include the Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Mohawk, and Seneca tribes. The upcoming April eclipse will evoke memories of the peaceful origins for Indigenous groups in Western New York.
Previously, these nations were engaged in continual warfare. According to the Onondaga Nation, conflicts fueled feelings of anger, revenge, jealousy, hatred, and war, leading to widespread death and destruction. The intervention of the Peace Maker, a messenger sent by the Creator, aimed to promote peace and solidarity among the tribes. Despite initial skepticism due to prevailing distrust, the Peace Maker encouraged the tribes to look to the sky for a symbol demonstrating his authority, which turned out to be a solar eclipse.
As the Seneca witnessed the sun darken during the eclipse, they were persuaded to embrace the Great Peace, uniting the tribes. This celestial occurrence serves as a poignant reminder of the significance of harmony and cohesion within the Haudenosaunee. On Monday, Jake Haiwhagai’i Edwards from the Onondaga Eel Clan will conduct a informative session on the eclipse and its connection to the Great Law of Peace at the Skänoñh Center on the Onondaga Lake Parkway at 12:30 p.m. Visit the provided link for additional details.