Muhheakannuck Nations at Nu Scodack
Some Significant Historical Events
History ...
As Remembered by the Tunxis
Seven Fires Prophecies
Warning
Over 800 years ago, Algonquins were told that major changes were coming.
Visitors from across the pond would come in great numbers. They might be friendly and peacful, or not. They might seriously challenge our ways, our values, our vision. They might even be hostile and physically dangerous. But we were warned to not fight them.
We were advised to welcome them, help them, and show them our ways, how we do things.
To preserve our culture, there was a call for people to move west ahead of these visitors. The Ojibwe volunteered.
Move West to Buy Time
They traveled far enough to successfully preserve our way of life until ones came who reported on what they saw, made drawings and paintings, and even took photographs. They passed on this information of their journey by way of Niagra Falls, to future generations via story telling.
In time, it was said, these visitors would see the wisdom of the way we respect Mother Earth and each other. The visitors would change their thinking and their ways. This would bring about the Eighth Fire.
Right on time, in September of 1609, Henry Hudson arrived at the M'hiacanituck.
Foreseen that the Worst would Happen before Success
It was, however, quickly seen that the worst predictions were the most likely to occur. We began hiding right out in the open.
Certain tribal leaders sent their own children to interact with the visitors, especially the missionaries. The leaders would not ask others to do this because of the danger involved and because of the trust relationship with their own children.
Others obtained law documents of the visitors and studied them for ways to mitigste or negate them. For instance, the English in an attempt to control the Tunxis. mandated that white headbands were to be worn by all local indigenous in the Farmington CT area. So the Tunxis, issued white headbands to all visitors.
Success
The desired change predicted in the Seven Fires Prophecies is finally occuring. Many descendents of the Europeans and other immigrants are adopting the values and the ways of the original Americans.
The Massacre at Pavonia Feb. 25-26, 1643 and the Aftermath
The massacre at Pavonia occurred on Feb. 25-26, 1643 in the time of Governor Kieft.It was the time of the winter hunt. Other M’hicanuk came by to see if those living with the Dutch at Pavonia would join in the hunt. The M'hiacanuk staying at Pavonia, however, agreed that only the "Young men" [the M’hiacan word for “Warrior” translates as “Young Man”] would go on the hunt instead of all going as usual for the Schwaniken seemed "nervous". So the women, children and elders living at Pavonia stayed behind to reassure the Europeans of their friendly intentions while the Pavonia Warriors accompanied the families of neighboring bands of M'hiacanuk and others on the hunt. While the "Young Men" were away from Pavonia, the Schwaniken came during the night and murdered over a hundred women, children and elders. Instead of the usual joy and celebration on their return, the hunting party was greeted with devastation and carnage. This angered many. Thus, the "Dutch Wars", contrary to the advice given in the Seven Fires Prophecies, began.The Dutch had targeted the Christians who were indigenous volunteers attempting to become friends with the Dutch and learn their ways. Not only was this done in a cowardly and unwise way, it resulted in the Dutch turning over control of what they had built to the English. The "Dutch Wars" ended only when the Schwaniken gave up to the Owanis. As directed by the Seven Fires Prophecies, M'hiacanuk, are to help the Europeans, showing and teaching them our ways, thus assimilating them into a way of life in harmony with Earth and all living. When Henry Hudson sailed up the M’heakannituck, as foretold, in Sept of 1609, it was quickly seen, however, that those from across the big sea were rather uncooperative. They were fearful and not very friendly. They had little connection with Mother Earth. They had little respect for any life. So, the M’hiacanuk began hiding right out in the open. All contact with the Dutch and other Europeans became conscious choice. It was necessary to survive to have any lasting influence. It was seen that it would be a long endeavor.
Survivors Joined Tunxis.
Many of the survivors from Pavonia and their neighbors went to live with the Tunxis [Watunxis Esopus] in what is now called Farmington, CT. The Tunxis group had been established here before the Haudenosaunee had considered being peaceful. There was a joining of families from M'hiacanu proper [those living at Nu Schodack, i.e., Our Fireplace, the place of the council fire], located then at the midpoint in Mahican migration up the M’heakannituck, at present day Kingston, NY] and Esopus families [Esopus is originally a branch, the rabbit clan, of the Munsee] from the same area, living mainly along the Esopus River.
Return to Manhattan
In the 1920s, some Tunxis began returning to the now Greater New York City area, partly due to economic and social conditions, seen and foreseen, in Connecticut and elsewhere. One family was the descendents of Eliza Jane Kelley, keeper of the 11 burial grounds of Farmington, CT and her mate Richard Reuben Lewis, formerly a Meherrin sub chief in Virginia, before being twice enslaved. They have many descendents through their son Richard Reuben Lewis {Reuben] and his wife Lucy Davis, born in Lakeville, Massachusetts. Many spoke indigenous languages and passed as white or colored as they could. If pinned down as to indigenous affiliation, no two agreed. Uncle Jerry [Jeremiah Hill Lewis named for Civil War veteran Jeremiah Hill, a cousin of Eliza Jane through her mother Annie Hill of Sharon, Ct.] was “Mohawk”. Uncle John [John Prince Lewis] was "Tuscarora", Juice was Chicopee, etc. None were Mukadai [black].
Elimination of Tunxis Leadership
When Uncle Bill [William Kelley Lewis, Peace Sagamore], Aunt Muddie [Mildred Lewis, Bear Clan mother], Uncle Truc, [Clarence Lewis, Bear clan leader] and Pop [Bernard Aloysius Livingstone Lewis, aka Barney Lewis, Owaya Sagamore] all died between Feb. and Aug of 1967, some of the family began returning to Connecticut. However, by now, they were not only living all over the U.S., from Maine, to Florida, to California and Washington state, they were international.
Rahway Intertribal Circle
In the late 1990s, the Rahway Intertribal Circle [RITC] was organized by Sagamore Michael J. D’Amico with Munsee Sakima Barry “Hunter” Boyce and Northern Cherokee Chief C.W. Longbow.
In the early 2000s, the RITC began holding annual ceremonies at the Pavonia site in the Communipaw section of Jersey City on the anniversary of the 1643 massacre to clear the site and help those still there go home.
The Sagamore Mike D'Amico, son of Barney Lewis, grandson of Grandmother Lucy and name giver Reuben, great grandson of Eliza Jane & Richard, walked on Feb. 27, 2007.
There was no ceremony that year.
Pavonia Clearing
On Feb. 25, 2008, there was an interdimensional clearing of the Pavonia site, facilitated by the partnership of Sagamore Mike in spirit and Etaoqua, plus two others members of the RITC in the physical, Jean Taylor of Roselle, present in New Jersey, and Clio Day in Florida, with enormous cooperation from other interested parties. All the remaining ghosts went to the Light, welcomed by their long waiting relatives. The energy levels at the site were greatly elevated.
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August 20, 2020
Two Row Wampum Treaty 400th Anniversary
To be continued ...