A Lineage Society
When the Canadian Federal Government, in 1869, began defining who was considered to be a member of the Six Nations (of the Grand River) Band, they made a series of arbitrary decisions which ultimately favoured those whose connection to the Six Nations, also known as the Haudenosaunee (People of the Longhouse) was via the paternal line. This rule as to who is and who is not a member of the Six Nations contravenes the traditional (existing for thousands of years) matriarchal clan line as the criteria in deciding membership. While the Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) adheres to the rules established by the Canadian Government, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council (HCCC) is considerably more flexible. Their perspective was articulated recently in an article in "Turtle Island News", 8 April 2015, entitled, Draft tobacco law clarifies Haudenosaunee ancestry. Specifically, "Any person who can trace his or her lineage back to Six Nations of the Grand River will be protected under Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council (HCCC)". While this statement relates to the proposed or draft "tobacco law", it is clear that it has wider implications. At the end of the article, the legal representative of the HCCC stated that, any Haudenosaunee person will be eligible as long as they can trace their ancestry back to Six Nations of the Grand River. 'We don't want to exclude anyone'. "It's not our intent that we get to decide who is Haudenosaunee and who is not". Hence this perspective suggests that anyone who can trace their ancestry to a member of the Six Nations of the Grand River is Haudenosaunee, and thus under the protection of Haudenosaunee laws. In effect, the Haudenosaunee (Six Nations of the Grand River) Association (HSNGRA) adheres to the Hereditary Council (HCCC) perspective on who is and who is not Haudenosaunee; and owes allegiance to the Hereditary Council.
The model relating to membership used by the HSNGRA is based on the principles and methods used by respected lineage societies, most particularly the United Empire Loyalists Association of Canada (UELAC). Here those who can prove via primary source data, following accepted genealogical standards, that they are descended from a recognized Loyalist is then entitled to apply for membership in the UELAC, and if the genealogical evidence submitted to support their claim of descent is proven then the person is entitled to membership and registration. In the case of those who become members of the UELAC, as per a British Government decision, any Loyalist descendant of either sex is allowed to affix the letters "UE" (the Unity of the Empire) after their signatures, alluding to the principals adhered to by their proven ancestors. This is the only hereditary title pertaining to Canada.
Similarly, for membership in and registration by HSNGRA, anyone who can provide acceptable genealogical proof of descent from an ancestor who was listed among the Six Nations of the Grand River will be admitted as a member and registered Haudenosaunee. Their ancestors will have been any member of the Mohawk, Oneida (Auquaga), Tuscarora, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca. Also in the acceptable category are the affiliated tribes including the Delaware, Nanticoke, Tutelo, and others listed in the 1785 census of groups which accompanied the Mohawk and others to the Grand River and have been settled there or incorporated into another tribe since that date are Haudenosaunee (People of the Longhouse).
If the documentation having been assessed by genealogists, with experience in First Nations heritage, to be clear proof of lineage, then the applicant will be accepted as a member of the HSNGRA, and their documentation file and name of the Six Nations ancestor will be entered into the membership roll of said Association. Ultimately the data will be submitted to the officials at the HCCC for their consideration on a case by case basis, and their input will be recorded in the applicant's file. Formal liaison between the HSNGRA and the HCCC in relation to this subject will need to take place at the earliest convenience to ensure that each member has full approval by the HCCC. Primary loyalty of HSNGRA members is to the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council and the Clan Mothers.
At the moment there are NO clear tangible benefits (e.g., entitlements through status cards) to membership in this Association other than those which would apply to the UELAC or other groups such as the American Daughters of the American Revolution. Namely, members will have evidence that their ancestry has been proven to the satisfaction of those charged with the task of assessing evidence of descent, and thus the member is deemed to be Haudenosaunee, and is accepted as a full member of the HSNGRA.
Aims, Objectives and Purpose of the Association:
1) To promote an accurate, scientific, evidence - based appreciation of the history, archaeology, genetics, language, and culture of the Haudenosaunee. In order to achieve this goal, the Association will organize conferences and promote publications that focus on Haudenosaunee topics.
2) Maintain a Membership Registry listing all those who have provided acceptable genealogical evidence proving descent from a member of the Six Nations of the Grand River community; and to maintain a physical and / or digital archive of the documentation files (documents will be scanned by a business scanner capable of creating legal sized pdf files and saved to multiple hard drives, one each in the care of executive members of the Association) submitted by each applicant. In this way, should say a grandchild or great niece or nephew wish to become members of HSNGRA they only need to submit the evidence relating to the two most recent generations and the data that will tie them to approved applicant files.
Levels of Membership:
1) Associate - All individuals who are in the process of providing genealogical evidence required for full membership.
2) Full - Individuals who have successfully proven their Six Nations of the Grand River ancestry, and who have met all the criteria for registration as Haudenosaunee.
Issuance of Verification of Membership Status:
Once the documentation has been validated by the genealogical committee, two items will be issued to the member -
1) Wallet sized membership card.
2) Certificate suitable for framing.
This blog is UNDER CONSTRUCTION and is in the "proof of concept" stage of development.
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