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The following is a speech given by Chief Red Jacket (Iroquois) in response to a group of missionaries attempting to convert the natives religion. I am indeed awed by the vast number of Natives that have abandoned the religion given to them by their forefathers...a religion with such depth and power and a great part of their culture...to me and many others it is difficult to comprehend the abandonment of this for any other religion. I can accept no excuse or reason...you might as well talk to a brick wall as to change the depth of my understanding and belief in this matter. Today more than ever many peoples the world over have great empathy (perhaps not the best choice of words) for the original natives. This includes (but not inclusive) the white people. Now more than ever before has the time been so ripe to set aside hatred and bitter words that have long been directed to the whites in general and unite with all peoples with a common goal and that goal is quite simple...the good of all mankind. To do this it is now in the power of the natives to understand this...unite for the common good of all mankind. Now is the time to take up this cause and when this is begun people will see the truth, the love and compassion of a great people and will be drawn closer to them (natives) then ever imagined. I will not discuss how this can come about and some steps that can be now taken...first a real interest must be displayed. This land is owned by no one and yes it was given to the natives for their use and care with instructions to do no harm to each other....yes now many occupy this land and do not yet understand this....yet they someday will..The Creator has not forgotten HIS red children. It is also saddening to me to see how many think so little of prophecies and visions of their forefathers that seemingly little stock is now taken of them. Where now is your faith BROTHER? It would not take much study to understand that nearly all of the past prophesies are related. I now urge you all to wake up....TAKE HEART......it is you that have forgotten and no longer believe...not the CREATOR........................................................................... I write this with love and compassion for all peoples.......................... CHIEF RED JACKET-1806 Friend and brother, it was the will of the Great Spirit that we should meet together this day. HE orders all things and HE has given us a fine day for this council. HE has taken his garment from before the sun and caused it to shine with brightness upon us. For all these things we thank the GREAT SPIRIT....and HIM ONLY! Brother this council fire was kindled by you. It was at your request that we come together at this time. We have listened with joy to what you have said. You requested us to speak our minds freely. This gives us great joy, for we now consider that we stand upright before you. All have heard your voice and can speak to you as one mind. Our minds are agreed. Brother listen to what we have to say.....there was a time when our forefathers owned this great land. Their seats extended from the rising to the setting sun. The Great Spirit had made it for the use of the Indian, HE created the deer, the antelope and other animals for food. HE made the bear and beaver, their skins served us for clothing. He had scattered them over the country and taught us how to take them. He caused the earth to produce corn for bread. All these things He had done for his Red Children because He loved them. If we had some disputes about hunting grounds, they were usually settled without the shedding of blood. BUT....an evil day came upon us...your forefathers crossed the great waters and came upon this land. Their numbers were small. They found us FRIENDS, not enemies. They told us they had fled from their own country on account of wicked men and had come here to enjoy their religion. They asked us for a small seat..we took pity upon them..granted their request and they sat down amongst us. We gave them corn and meat...they gave us poison (rum) in return. Brother, our seats were once large and yours were very small, you now have become a great people and we have scarcely a place left to spread our blankets. You have got our country...BUT, you are not satisfied, you want to force your religion upon us. Brother, continue to listen. You say that you have been sent to instruct us as how to worship the GREAT SPIRIT in a manner which is agreeable to HIS MIND, and, if we do not take hold of the religion which you white people teach we will be lost forever. How do we know this to be true? We understand that your religion is written in a book, and if it was intended for us as well as you....why has not the GREAT SPIRIT given to us, and not only us, but to our forefathers the knowledge of that book with the means of understanding it rightly? We know only what you tell us about it. How shall we know when to believe, being so often deceived by the white man? Brother we do not understand these things. If there be but one religion, why do you people all not agree upon it--as you all can read the book? Brother, we are told that your religion was given to your forefathers and has been handed down from father to son. We too have a religion which was given to our forefathers and has been handed down to us, their children. We WORSHIP in that way. It teaches us to be THANKFUL for all favors we receive...to LOVE one another and to be UNITED. We NEVER quarrel about religion because it is a matter BETWEEN EACH MAN and THE GREAT SPIRIT. Brother, we do not wish to destroy your religion or take it from you. WE ONLY WANT TO ENJOY OUR OWN. Brother we understand that you have been preaching to the white people in this place. These people are our neighbors are acquainted with them. We will wait a little while and see what effect your preaching has upon them. If we find it does them good, makes them honest and less disposed to cheat Indians, we will again consider of what you have said. Brother, you now have heard our words and this is all we have to say at present. As we are going to part we will take you by the hand (shake) and hope that the GREAT SPIRIT will protect you on your journey and return you safely to your friends. ( A response to white missionaries attempt to convert his tribes religion)