In 1794 The Mohawk peoples at the Upper and Lower Castles along the Mohawk river made an exodus to Canada. The Upper Castle moved to Kahnawake and the Lower Castle to Khenteke. Our homelands were on fire due to the Revolution so we settled in the Bay of Quinte because of it’s historical significance as the birthplace of the Peacemaker. The Upper Castle moved to its current location in Quebec across the Mercier bridge from Montreal.
Our first day was spent at the site of the Upper Castle just down from Oneida lake on the river.
We stayed each night at a hotel in Johnstown NY and travelled each day together on a tour bus.
The next day we visited Fort Hunter and Fort Johnson, which we have an ancient past as we watched them being built.
The feeling of returning home kept getting stronger each day for all of us and it was mystical.
Our next day was spent at the Falls where we heard the first words from Dekanawidah and it was magical
Truly a historical place for Peace on Earth, it started here with the first Clan-mother Jigonsausee, Hiawatha and Dekanawidah.
When we arrived at NY state museum in Albany they had a wonderful reception for us to welcome us home after leaving 230 years ago. We had a feast and met some Oneidas and it was like on old family gathering
14 strong Mohawk women being honoured at the NY state museum.
Our last day was spent at Johnson Hall and Fort Johnson which acted as the capital for quite awhile
So it was an epic journey back to our homeland in NY and it was celebrated by all whom we met. If I could only sing one song for this story it has to be :
“now we stand as brothers let us plant this tree. water its roots it’ll go sea to sea. watch it grow to the sky and bask in its shade. it represents the unity we now have made. we bury our weapons for all time underneath and a great order we now bequeath. if any should follow the roots to their source they may sit with us in the shade of course…”
