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ADOPTION LAWS

80TH WAMPUM

The father of a child of great beauty, learning ability or specially loved because of some circumstances at the will of the child’s clan, can select a name from his own (the father’s) Clan and bestow it by ceremony, and shall be called, “A name hung about the neck.”

81ST WAMPUM

Should any person, a member of the Hotinonshonni, choose a name to bestow upon a man or a woman of another Clan or a foreign nation, the naming shall be in accord with ceremony of bestowing names. Such a name is only temporary and shall be called, “A name hung about the neck.” A short string of shells shall be delivered with the name as a record and a pledge.

82ND WAMPUM

Should any member of the Hotinonshonni, a family, or a person belonging to a foreign nation submit a proposal for adoption into a Clan of one of the Hotinonshonni, he or they shall furnish a string of shells, a span in length, as a pledge to the Clan into which he or they wish to be adopted.

The Sachems of the Nation shall then consider the proposal and submit a decision.

ADMISSION TO THE LEAGUE

83RD WAMPUM

The Great Creator has made us of one blood, and of the same soil he made us, and as only different tongues constitute different nations, he established different hunting grounds and territories and made boundary lines between them.

84TH WAMPUM

Should the Council of the League admit a foreign nation into the Hotinonshonni, the admission will be a temporary one. While waiting the Hotinonshonni shall follow the Kaianerekowa (Great Law) and not disturb in any way the Iroquois people. Should they at any time disregard the rules, customs, or regulations then their admission will be ended. Their removal from the Confederacy will be by the Council appointing one of the Sachems to speak to them reminding them of the wrongdoing and the reason for their removal from the Hotinonshonni.

85TH WAMPUM

When a member of a different nation comes to the territory of the Hotinonshonni and seeks refuge and permanent residence, the statesman of the Nation to which he comes shall extend hospitality and make him a member of the Nation. Then shall he be accorded equal rights and privileges to all matters except as mentioned here.

86TH WAMPUM

No foreign nation who seeks temporary refuge in the Hotinonshonni and its territories shall have a voice in the Council of the League. The reason being that foreign nations have no common interest and may go against the Kaianerekowa (Great Law). This in turn might destroy the Hotinonshonni.

87TH WAMPUM

When the Sachems of the Hotinonshonni decide to admit a foreign nation and adoption is made, the Sachems shall inform the adopted nation that its admission is only temporary. They shall also say to the nation that it must never try to control, to interfere with or to injure the Hotinonshonni, nor disregard the Kaianerekowa (Great Law) or any of its rules or customs. In no way should they cause disturbance or injury. Then shall the adopted nation disregard these injunctions, their adoption will be annulled and they will be expelled.

The expulsion shall be in the following manner: The Council shall appoint one of their Head Warriors to convey the message of annulment.

88TH WAMPUM

Whenever a foreign nation enters the Hotinonshonni or accepts the Kaianerekowa (Great Law), the Hotinonshonni and the foreign nation shall enter into an agreement by which the foreign nation shall endeavor to persuade the other nations to accept the Kaianerekowa (Great Law).

RESIDENCY OUTSIDE OF

TERRITORY

89TH WAMPUM

If any of the Onkwehonwe people emigrate and reside in a distant area away from the territory of the Hotinonshonni, the Sachems will send a messenger carrying a broad belt of black shells and the messenger shall call the people together and address them displaying the belt. The people will consider this and the order for their return to their original homes and to their Council Fire.

OWNERSHIP OF THE LAND

90TH WAMPUM

The soil of the earth from one end to the other is the property of the people who inhabit it. By birthright, the Onkwehonwe, the original beings, are the owners of the soil which they own and occupy and none other may hold it. The same law has been held from the oldest time.

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