“Ask an Elder”
There are many questions and few elders. This blog will be populated with your Q&A found in the comments.
Please comment with your questions and we’ll promote this blog to the Iroquois elders who may have the answers that you seek.
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I would like to know where my heritage comes from, my father says that we are 1/4 Iroquois,but he doesn’t know much about it, only that we have some Iroquois blood, I know its not much, but it means a lot to me, I feel lost, not knowing where I come from, & maybe having long lost relatives. Is there any way you can help me? I appreciate all your help. Also , Utley is my maiden name,I’ve never married. Thankyou
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Hello Janeen, my brother just introduced me to this site. I am only 29 but grew up on the Seneca reservation until age 8. Our father was a teacher and a healer amongst the Iroquois people as well as around the USA and Canada. The Iroquois traditions were instilled in me like a first language. I would be happy to help you in any way that I can. I am going back into the teachings of my father, so it would be nice to have someone accompany on my journey.
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I am looking for info on my family heritage…hoping someone can help. I recently found out that my great, great grandma was Seneca Indian, how can i find if this is a fact, i only have her name…also, was told that we are blood related to Pocohantas, also, how can i find info if this is true?? Thank you to anyone who may be able to help me!! My email is SOX51963@aol.com, or you can contact me on facebook
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As a young child on the long trip to family vacations in Canada I would fall half asleep and have mental pictures of Indian walking the hills around Canajohorie NY When I was a teen I was informed the my mothers family had Indian roots. Feelings of connection and disconnection. What does it mean? This last year I read Canaojharie was a Haudenosausnee. capital. My Grandmother’s family names are Gilman, Morin/Murray/Morreau, La Fortune. They all lived in the Champlain, Messina, Rousses Point and Coopesrville area of NY. I feel like I am searching for something, but I don’t know what it is?
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my dad and all his family was full booled cherokee my mother was hafe and her dad was full i want to know what does that make me and where can i go to learn the ways of my pepole
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Greetings. I am in Blackfoot country, born in the area of Okatok đŸ˜€ listed with the Great Turtle Island Federation, as Anishinabe Country, Soto Nation http://www.unitednationsofturtleisland.com.
I’m trying to trace my ancestry all the way back to the Pleiades. If you recognize any of these names to be of Iroquois-Haudenosaunee origin, please contact me at nickandajsmom@gmail.com. Meegwich
Names are: St. Pierre Poitras, Marie E. Brammir, Baptiste DesJarlais, Marie Martaine, Joseph John O’Connor, Marie F. Raymonds, Unknown Faverau, Mary Madeline Reed
Nvwatohiyadv = Peace To All My Relations
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My father is Mohawk-Iroquois. He was never around while I was growing up. I am almost 45 and want to know about how to prove myself as an Indian and to learn about my heritage. I have sent papers of my fathers family to some place in Canada. How long does this process take. I also know that my ancestors come from Caughnawaga, Canada. And that a lot of my family lives in Erie, PA. My last name is Mayo. Any help would greatly be appreciated. buttrfli9468@hotmail.com is my email.
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My dad was from SN in Canada although I did not know of him till I was in my early adult yrs. I would like to know what I can do to be accepted, I do not live near my dad’s homeland any longer, but would really like to know what I can do. Family names is Doxtater.
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My great grandfather was half first nations, my grandfather married a woman from England. She despised my grandfathers family. They were to rough and primitive for her. She effectively got my grandfather away from his people. My grandmother never allowed us to talk about our grandfather’s roots. However, my father did tell me his father was 1/4 first nations and he was of Mohawk decent. My father’s cousin has his status but because of my grandmother my father never delved in to his roots. I would like to. When I hear the drums, they talk to me. I have a feeling that wells up inside of me and I shine inwardly. I would like to learn to speak the Mohawk language and to learn of my heritage. I can not provide proof of my ancestor as the papers were destroyed in a church fire many many years ago. Is there anything I can do to learn or the Mohawk heritage? I have participated in Idle No More events and I am proud to stand as one. My father’s cousin gave me a Mohawk name which means Friendly Waters.
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please forgive me for being forward, but I have questions about my mothers sideof family…Her mother was named Enzie, but her grandmother was named Nicati Hall not sure I spelled that right, but she was suppose to be Iroquois, they also called, Nicati Cherrytree..We come from western Virginia as far as I know, the Appalachian mountains…finding roots other then spoken history is hard here in my family…, Is there any other way to research my heritage?..Thank you for your time..
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Hi my names Justin. I recently found out that I have Iroquois heritage in my blood and I am trying to find out which nation I am from. My great grand dad who is still alive maybe in his 90s last name is lamotte and I learned that they settled here in Vermont over some what 150 Yeats ago and fought for a piece of land that they won and then called isle lamotte. Can anyone help please? Please email me at Justinpatten34@yahoo.com thanks
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I am seeking information on how to meet with a Tribal Elder. I am in Western New York. I am part Anishinabe and Cherokee. Theman I am in love with is 1/8 Seneca but it is from his father’s side. My family members are members of the SaultSte Marie band of Chippewa Indians but I am not since my mother did not register my sisters and I. I am seeking counsel on breaking and healing my past and while in prayer had the Great Spirit tell me I needed to seek an Elder to help with this. I have had 2 others tell me to do the same. I am having a problem finding one and am hoping you can help.
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Being from the stars I would hope any leader should be able to help others. I know if I promised to come to help my Mother I WOULD make damn sure I could follow up with it. I would never be Lion about that!!!! BTW has anyone seen our confouned Bows? Think their 9 of them least that what I hear…. LOVE & Peace.. Crap my pipe won’t light!!!!
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Been nine days since I posted this question. Once my twin brother and I get together it will be to late. However it will be right time for us. Our Father is the thunder Chief. My Mother White Bufffalo Woman and the clan mothers are HERE. Believe or not. I have the Eastern Fire I keept it in my Medicien bag the whole time. Need a Light? I know about the portals so don’t play kids im here to fix them and our Mother.
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My 9th gen. Great grandfather (John granger) married full blood micmac (Grace-Micmac).I do vision quest every year on my day of my birth.,I am from bayou,la. How’s Indians,creek,Choctaw,chittimacha,lived all near me. During one of my quest I was given name in Huron language-which I am related also,but indirectly ,directly related Micmac.The name I was given “ALSOOMEMANSI”-Huron means independent flower.I really would love speak to leader or shaman.I know I have very deep spiritual life,deep level.looking for answera-guidance.
Many blessings
Alsoomemansi
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I want to know what my name means and how it is spelled.Please email me and I will give you my full name please
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I am going through the process of getting registered in Ontario. My question is how is in my name spelled and pronounced in Mohawk? My name is Kelli Eleanor Mayo (married name is Leavens)
Kelli Leavens600 Duquesne Ave.Apt. CCanonsburg, PA 15317724-419-4130 Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 02:37:49 +0000 To: buttrfli9468@hotmail.com
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I want to know what my name means and how it is spelled.Please email me and I will give you my full name. Sorry U put the wrong email in the above question
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I was driving on the road and the wind picked up a feather from a gully and twirled in in the air for me to see and laid it back down in the gully. I stopped and retrieved the feather and it was an Eagle Feather about 19 inches long. What does it mean? Phillip G. Gurganus
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What does the name Tekakwitha mean?
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I truly have not been overly involved in my Seneca heritage. But I find myself constantly seeking “something.” I find myself being drawn to seeking more information on my heritage. Unfortunately, my Mother passed away last year, she was the last member of her immediate family. I’ve know since a young age that we were Seneca with some Cherokee and that my Grandfather (last name Palmer) was full. I’m extremely sensitive to animals and even though I am a hunter, I ALWAYS respect what I am hunting. I’ve had dreams of a pack of wolves descending on my homestead from the woods where I grew up. Sometimes I have premonitions of things (even if I’m hunting, I “know” there is “something there” even without hearing/seeing, etc). It just seems like if I “knew” for certain what my heritage is (I’ve tried seeking and sending emails, etc. to different organizations but to no avail)I would have more meaning of my life; why am I here? do I have elders attempting to direct me as to where I should go? Why do I feel like I need to connect with my elders? Why do I mostly feel as though the Pow Wow’s I’ve been to aren’t true to the heritage and there is no one there capable of having a discussion with as to what I need to know, but yet I feel a connection? Thank you!
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I am seeking information on how to connect with a Tribal Elder/healer/ chief who does things old school . I am in New York city but I will travel anywhere. I am mixed black and native american. Spiritually i found out from a seer, dreams, and great spirit that I’m six nations bloodline and certain other info that its priority that I speak with a high elder. I need info on initiation, vision quest, wisdom, and healing. I have had 5 others tell me to do the this, but it has not been easy connecting, finding someone whom you can trust, and finding a real old school elder who still walks in the old traditional medicine ways. This person will already know that I’m coming! I know someone can help. Peace and Blessings
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I am Haudenosaunee , my Man is Blackfoot and Italian. We have been having issues with spirit attacks on him, he has post traumatic stress disorder. I messes with him in a bad way. I need to speak to an elder of either nation.
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I meant it ,the spirits and the ptsd.
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I am a descendant of Greek Immigrants. First generation. Recently, I went to Indian Caverns in Ohio. I purchased a Native made headdress. I have a friend’s birthday party coming up in which I had in mind to wear it to. I would be wearing my regular clothes but wanted to wear the headdress because the theme is to wear something festive on our heads. I have two questions:
1) Is this ok? 2) How are the feathers sourced? Is it humanely?
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My heritage is Bengali from India living in Haundenasaunee Territory. I am trying to form a federation of cooperatives in my city, and would like to call it Peacemaker Cooperative Association/Federation. This name is partially inspired by The Great Law of Peace and The Great Peacemaker. In my tradition (Bengali, Hindu), it is ok to name something after (or something that resembles) someone or something holy, revered or sacred. I did not want to assume the same is true in Haundenasaunee traditions. While the primary objective of the use of peacemaker is referring to someone who is committed to peace, I did not want the symbolism to conflict with your values. I would be interesting in knowing whether this name can be used. Thank you.
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My heritage is Bengali from India living in Haudenosaunee Territory. I am trying to form a federation of cooperatives in my city, and would like to call it Peacemaker Cooperative Association/Federation. This name is partially inspired by The Great Law of Peace and The Great Peacemaker. In my tradition (Bengali, Hindu), it is ok to name something after (or something that resembles) someone or something holy, revered or sacred. I did not want to assume the same is true in Haudenosaunee traditions. While the primary objective of the use of peacemaker is referring to someone who is committed to peace, I did not want the symbolism to conflict with your values. I would be interesting in knowing whether this name can be used. Thank you.
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I have my grandmother is half native, she was born and raised in Quebec. I’m not sure if I’m part Mohawk. My question is at a native gathering an elder seer told me my medicine was swan, I had a dream a year and a half later that my totem was also frog. So I researched the frog online and to me I feel that the frog is more of a guardian. I recently bought a frog necklace and now I’m worried my swan will be offended. I have had the necklace for a few days. I’m still having dreamtime so I know at this point I haven’t been abandoned. My question is can I wear another medicine (frog) when my real totem is a swan? Thanks Jen
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My Mother says she part Iroquioan,and her mother is full blooded Iroquian,Mother name is Charlotte Sherman,my Grandmothers names is Ida Sherman,I’m from Bennington Vermont and visited a reservation when I was young,can’t remember the name,please help,and Thank You.
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Hi. My son Bryce is doing a project for school and one of the things that is asked of him is…..”If I’m Haudenosaunee, my name is ________ and it means _____.” I have been trying to find this for quite some time but am not having any luck. Any help or a push in the right direction would be great.
Brian
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Hello. I have a question that I think only an elder can answer. This might sound like a crazy question and I’m a little embarrassed to ask it, but I feel very strongly that this is the right place to ask. A large storm destroyed many trees in my neighbourhood this past week. They have been cleft in two, showing their wooden hearts, the bark stripped from the trees, half of the tree lying on the ground. When I go near a particular tree, I feel so sad that I think I am feeling its pain. Is there anything I can do for this tree? It is far too large for me to do anything for it, but I feel like this tree wants me to do something. I’m sorry the question sounds so woo-woo and out there, but perhaps someone will know what this tree needs.
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I have a question about hunting and respect for the animals. Historically the Iroquois hunted in the same woods I will be hunting in. I am a young man 30 years old, and I will start hunting for the first time this fall. How can I show my respect and thanks to the animals I kill? I have studied how to use as much of the animals as I can, so they don’t die in vain. But is there more I can do?
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I have been dating a oneida guy for a year now my Question is ,he says he must have a answer from the Great Spirit before we can move forward in a committed relationship how long am I expected to wait for him to know if the Great Spirit Blesses us as life partners ? ,,I got my confirmation he was the one on the 3rd month ( a season) .
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