The Ojebways and the Six Nations

The Ojebway chiefs having closed their talks, concerning the renewal of the, treaties,the wampum belt were returned to the Onondaga chief, with the salutations of all the Ojebway chiefs, and there warriors, women and children. John S. Johnson one of the Mohawk chiefs next addressed the council. He informed the Ojebway chiefs of the relation existing between the Six  United Nations. The Mohawks he said are considered the head nation next to the Oneidas, and the Cayugas and the Tuscaroras were their children who were also three brothers. The Tuttelees, Nanticokes, Mantuas, and the Delawares were their nephews who dwell in the bosoms. Johson the explain the emblems contained in the wampum belt brought by Yellowhead, which he said they acknowledged to be acts of their father. Firstly the council fire of at the Sault St. Marie has no emblem, because then the council was held. Secondly the council fire at Mantoulin has the emblem of the beautiful white fish, this signifies purity or a clean white heart that all our hearts ought to be white towards each other. Thirdly the emblem of a beaver placed at an island on Penetanguishew Bay denotes wisdom, Fourthly the emblem of the  white deer placed at the Lake Simcoe signified superiority, the dish and ladles at the same place,indicated abundance of game and food. Fifthly the EAGLE perched on a fall pine at the CREDIT denotes watching and swiftness in conveying messages. The Eagle was to watch all the council fires between the Six Nations and the Ojebways and being far - sighted he might in the event of any thing happening communicate the tidings to the distant tribes. Sixthly the sun was hung up in the centre of the belt, to show that their acts were done in the face of the sun, by whom they swore that they would for  ever    observe the treaties made between the two parties. Page 121  History of the ojebways by Peter Jones.