Native America

(singing in native language) NARRATOR: The story recorded in this belt tells of a warrior named Hiawatha, who meets a prophet known as the Peacemaker.

(singing continues) MAN (speaking native language): (fires crackling) (waves lapping) G. PETER JEMISON: The story goes that he came up with a way of helping a person who was in grief by using this wampum to clear their eyes, open their ears, clear their throat so they could speak clearly.

(singing continues) NARRATOR: Using the purity of shells to bring a person to a clear state of mind is called the Condolence Ceremony.

It was invented by Hiawatha, and the Haudenosaunee still practice it today.

MAN (speaking native language): (men fighting) TOM PORTER: He was a sorcerer.

He had supernatural powers.

He could communicate with the birds and rattlesnakes and wolves in the animal world, and they would help him.

He was a mean, mean man-- his name was Tadodaho.

NARRATOR: To convince Tadodaho to join the new confederacy, Hiawatha and the Peacemaker seek a powerful ally.

A woman named Jigonsaseh.

VIRGINIA L. ABRAMS: Jigonsaseh was the first clan mother.

She helped bring peace to the Iroquois, to the Haudenosaunee.

NARRATOR: The Peacemaker strikes a deal with her.

If she can stop the war, she can choose the chiefs.

(flames crackling) MAN (speaking native language): NARRATOR: Jigonsaseh transforms Tadodaho's mind, and he abandons war.

With the final obstacle overcome, the Peacemaker assembles representatives of each nation.

MAN (speaking native language): NARRATOR: Under a total eclipse of the sun, the Peacemaker holds the newly woven Hiawatha belt, and with the nations gathered beneath the tree of peace, he speaks the law of peace for the first time.

MAN (speaking native language):