The Haudenosaunee are also known as the Iroquois Confederacy.  The French had called the Haudenosaunee the Iroquois (a.k.a. First Peoples or First Nations).  The English called the Haudenosaunee, the League of Five Nations.  The Haudenosaunee is comprised of Five Nations.  These Nations are the Mohawk, the Oneida, the Onondaga, the Cayuga and the Seneca.  Later, the Tuscarora Nation joined the confederacy of the Haudenosaunee.  Today, the Haundenosaunee is also known as the “Six Nations”.

Centuries ago, the people of the longhouse fought against each other.  They were divided, lived in unrest and were not of a good mind.  The Great Law of Peace was introduced to the Haudenosaunee by the Peacemaker and Hiawatha.  They buried their weapons of war and adopted the principles of Peace, Equity and a Good Mind.  They established peace and became statesmen with the guidance and direction of their Clan Mothers.  Their form of governance provided a model for the founding fathers of the United States of America.  The Hiawatha Belt is made of wampum shells.  It is a symbol and token of the covenants and promises made to each other to live in peace and work together with a Good Mind.  The ends are open…to include anyone else who wishes to live in peace with a Good Mind.