Tree of Peace Society
Encyclopedia
The Tree of Peace Society was founded in 1984 and incorporated in New York State on October 17, 1994 as a "foreign" not-for-profit corporation ("foreign" a legal formality owing to tribal sovereignty considerations). Its headquarters are located on the Akwesasne
Mohawk
reservation in Hogansburg, New York
, which borders the provinces of Quebec
and Ontario, Canada along the St. Lawrence River.
Since 1984, society members, headed by founder "Chief Jake Swamp" have ceremoniously planted trees in significant public places, such as near Philadelphia's Constitution Hall in 1986 and on April 10, 1986 at Shasta Hall, California State University
, Sacramento, California
The organization's official website explains the ancient Native American
legend behind the group's work:
The educational website Past is Prologue contains an article explaining more about how and why Trees of Peace are planted by the group:
"...Chief Jake Swamp of the Mohawk Nation and co-director of the Tree of Peace Society travels around the world planting Trees of Peace, including on the Smithsonian Mall
during the Bicentennial celebration in honor of the contributions to the U.S. Constitution which came from the Iroquois Great Law of Peace. Such traditional ceremonies cannot, of course, be replicated by non-Iroquois...Suggestions for Ceremony: Call the group together with music. If a Native American drumming
(much of which is sacred) group is available in your area, this would be appropriate. Form a circle around the tree. Readings could include The Great Tree of Peace from Three Strands in the Braid: A Guide for Enablers of Learning ...Select two items to be buried under the roots to symbolize national unity and peace. In the original ceremony, weapons of war were buried..."
(Another book by the author of Three Strands in the Braid features cover art depicting Benjamin Franklin
sitting under a Tree of Peace and negotiating with a chief in the Iroquois Grand Council.)
Akwesasne
The Mohawk Nation of Akwesasne is a Mohawk Nation territory that straddles the intersection of international and provincial borders on both banks of the Saint Lawrence River. Most of the land is in what is otherwise the United States...
Mohawk
Mohawk nation
Mohawk are the most easterly tribe of the Iroquois confederation. They call themselves Kanien'gehaga, people of the place of the flint...
reservation in Hogansburg, New York
Hogansburg, New York
Hogansburg is a hamlet in the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation, in Franklin County, in the town of Bombay in New York state, USA. It lies on NY 37 near the Canadian-US border at the confluence of the St. Regis River with the Saint Lawrence Seaway.-History:...
, which borders the provinces of Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
and Ontario, Canada along the St. Lawrence River.
Since 1984, society members, headed by founder "Chief Jake Swamp" have ceremoniously planted trees in significant public places, such as near Philadelphia's Constitution Hall in 1986 and on April 10, 1986 at Shasta Hall, California State University
California State University
The California State University is a public university system in the state of California. It is one of three public higher education systems in the state, the other two being the University of California system and the California Community College system. It is incorporated as The Trustees of the...
, Sacramento, California
Sacramento, California
Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California's expansive Central Valley. With a population of 466,488 at the 2010 census,...
The organization's official website explains the ancient Native American
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
legend behind the group's work:
The educational website Past is Prologue contains an article explaining more about how and why Trees of Peace are planted by the group:
"...Chief Jake Swamp of the Mohawk Nation and co-director of the Tree of Peace Society travels around the world planting Trees of Peace, including on the Smithsonian Mall
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
during the Bicentennial celebration in honor of the contributions to the U.S. Constitution which came from the Iroquois Great Law of Peace. Such traditional ceremonies cannot, of course, be replicated by non-Iroquois...Suggestions for Ceremony: Call the group together with music. If a Native American drumming
Iroquois music
The Iroquois is a confederacy of six Native American tribes.Traditional social gatherings among the Iroquois feature music and dance as central components. These gatherings are led by an individual who finds lead dancers and singers and introduces them to the audience, also providing dancing...
(much of which is sacred) group is available in your area, this would be appropriate. Form a circle around the tree. Readings could include The Great Tree of Peace from Three Strands in the Braid: A Guide for Enablers of Learning ...Select two items to be buried under the roots to symbolize national unity and peace. In the original ceremony, weapons of war were buried..."
(Another book by the author of Three Strands in the Braid features cover art depicting Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
sitting under a Tree of Peace and negotiating with a chief in the Iroquois Grand Council.)