Customer Reviews

Basic Call to Consciousness

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This collection of position papers from the Haudenosaunee does a lot more than outline the values and traditions of the People of the Longhouse. It comprises an historical assay of Western Civilization and a political manifesto for all people who would choose to end the legacy of colonialism. An ancient nation that has existed in peace in prosperity without recourse to laws and jails, the Haudenosaunee were the first to establish a league of "United Nations" to ensure peace, harmony and respect among disparate groups of people. Incidentally, it was their pact, the Iroquois Confederacy, which inspired the government of the United States of America. Of particular notice in this collection was the last paper, "A Basic Call to Consciousness," which succinctly outlines the original instructions given to the Haudenosaunee by the Creator of Life; the destructive processes which are eradicating their way of life and most life on the planet; and lastly the Haudenosaunee strategy for survival. Absolutely essential for anyone who wishes to better understand and change the oppressive, exploitive, and destructive traditions which drive Western Civilization, I cannot over recommend this book.

This book is not just a book, it represents a call for the world to return to sanity and life. everyone must read this, must examine their conscience and decide how much they value life, nature, and the dignity of every human being. we cannot afford to keep moving toward the precipice of total destruction. a wise man once said that if one loses his way and is on a wrong path, turning back is progress. we must turn back, turn away from a path of death and devestation and untold human suffering to a path which embraces wholeness, wellness, and recognition of our connectedness to all living beings. this goes beyond any previous dichotomies be they political, religious or cultural. it is a question now of life or death. if we die, if we destroy life on earth, then what hope have we of transformation? in order to change and grow we must first survive, and survival depends upon the immediate cessation of the wholesale destruction of this Earth that is now going on...Indigenous Peoples of the world have the knowledge of life and sustainability. They are the Original Human Beings, and they represent our collective Humanity. the future is in their hands. modern man is totally insane and the path of western civilization has brought us to the edge of extinction. in order to heal we must first recognize in what peril we have placed ourselves. Indigenous Peoples would be justified in denying us their teachings, for we have violated everything that the Creator has given us to hold sacred. i beg Native American communities and Indigenous communities worldwide to forgive us and to share their Way of Living that we all might have a chance to survive. we have only our own lies and selfishness and corruption and the total sum of our injustices, to lose. we have a world out of balance to restore. join the forces of life, sustainability, connectedness, and respect. you are not really happy anyway. examine yourselves and see the sickness rotting away at your soul. break your hearts of stone and let them be turned to hearts of flesh, hearts which feel, hearts which can be truly human. this is my plea.

I first read this over 30 years ago and was greatly impacted by the clarity of the message then. It has impacted me again. I have given out a few copies, I have a copy on my IPad for convienience and I will read it many times over in the future.

The plea of the Hau de no sau nee Nations to the UN in 1977 that exposes the oppression of natives by civilization. The tone is amazingly candid, true, and determined. A good read despite poor editing.

This book was recommended to me for its treatment of the peacekeeping principles of the Haudenosaunee, however there wasn't much detail or depth to it's coverage of these principles. By and large, this book relates the story of the Iroquois confederacy's 1977 trip to the United Nations and their struggle for recognition as a sovereign nation. For those of you interested in peacemaking principles, I'd suggest you look elsewhere.