Know who you are

People will believe what they want to believe.

That’s what makes the world great. We all make our own judgments based on the evidence we have on hand. It’s part of what makes us human.

It makes me think of the climate change issue. There seems to be good evidence to suggest that things on earth are heating up. Good evidence, scientific evidence.

And yet only 70 per cent of U.S. residents believe the evidence supporting global warming. That means 30 per cent of the U.S. population is still waiting to see the ‘smoking gun’. Maybe the devastating forest fires of Fort McMurray, Alberta, will get climate change deniers reconsidering the scientific evidence. That gun is smoking everyone out.

At the Two Row Times we try to present evidence as a community service to honour the critical thinking skills of every individual young and old. Week after week we give you everything we’ve got.

And if anyone disagrees with the way we present information that’s okay! We respect your voice.

I am not a PhD in political science but giving a lawyer full authority and control over an ancient and sacred government doesn’t seem like a good strategy, but we try to remember that Six Nations people are all survivors of colonialism and tragedy. We are all in a process of grieving, and of healing. For that reason we should all speak softly with each other, even when we argue.

I saw it on Saturday. A clan mother stood up and spoke powerful words to a large room we call a Longhouse. She calmly spoke with conviction and full of purpose. Her family was with her and it was a beautiful sight.

Here is the progression of Saturday’s events in one sentence: Men’s Fire set the record straight. Legal advisor Aaron Detlor responded by reading a letter. HDI Director Hazel Hill presented a 15 part-theory then immediately resigned. Sam General then announced that Detlor had to go.

And a clan mother spoke from the heart.

“We gotta get back to the Gayanasrakowa (The Great Peace),” she uttered and it reverberated throughout the council space. It also reverberated within the people, groups of men here and there responded with a resounding, “nyeeeaaah…”.

Regarding the information that puts HDI’s ethics and financial transparency in question she said “It’s not gossip. It’s black and white.”

She then voiced her approval of the message voiced by the Cayuga Wolf Hoyane, who brought the eviction notice to council from his family. “I see it the same as Sam,” she said. Clans on both sides of the fire agreed.

In parting, the Mohawk Clan mother shared some wisdom with Aaron, by saying:

“You gotta know who you are. If you don’t know who you are, it’s gonna show.”