Mary Sandy, Guest Contributor

Six Nations territory along the Grand River is my home within the Haudenosaune territory, deeded initially to our people in 1785 for our sacrifice and service to the King during the American Revolution. I was one of eight children to my mother, Oneida Bear Clan, and my father, Onondaga Clear Sky Wolf Clan. Unlike the government of Canada that follows a patriarchal lineage, we follow the mother's line, and by a matriarchal system, I am Oneida Bear Clan. I have fond memories of growing up in a full house on a land that brings our people together intergenerationally, culturally and spiritually. My early educational days were spent in a one-room schoolhouse on the reserve. After high school graduation, I attended Mohawk College for Business Administration. I joined the federal public service in 1989, retiring in 2013. I am a mother of six children, grandmother to sixteen, great grandmother of eight and Clanmother of the Oneida Nation.

I have continued my hereditary duty lineage as Oneida Bear Clanmother and guide our people as my own mother did. As leaders of our nations, Clanmothers provide wisdom, sharing their Elder knowledge to those in need. At times, our voice has been silenced because of the patriarchal influence enacted by white settlers, changing our traditional governance system and creating a dual government with Six Nations Elected Council operating as an arm of the federal government. My greatest concern is the future of our children. Our culture and ceremonies are a link to our people's traditional ways and connection to the land. One of my favourite ceremonies at the Upper Cayuga Longhouse is the Mid-Winter ceremony, where babies receive their Indigenous name on the seventh ceremonial day. There is an undertaking by the community to take responsibility for the child and their spiritual growth, strengthening the interconnectedness of the community. The eighth day of festivities brings about a friendly competition known as the peach pit game between Young Brothers (Bear/Turtle Clans) and Older Brothers (Wolf Clan et al.), where donations of personal value are given such as wampum, lacrosse stick or regalia/dress. The side that wins all the peach counters is declared the winner. The end of the eight-day mid-winter ceremony begins the year. Cultural traditions like these are at risk as our land continues to be sold and mismanaged by those who do not honour historical agreements.

Our people continue to fight for a future that connects us to the land and honours Mother Earth. Land claim issues sit unresolved, backlogged in courts that ignore treaties, inherent rights, and traditional Indigenous governance systems. The Clanmothers of Six Nations represent Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca Nations, and as a strong group of women, we support the protestor's autonomy as they occupy new home build sites in Caledonia. Clanmothers were on location during the 2006 occupation and support the 2020 Landback protest (at arm's length due to COVID-19), using our collective wisdom and knowledge to encourage peaceful protests and advise community members who put themselves in harm's way to bring attention to the illegal land development that threatens our culture and land-focused way of life. The Haldimand Deed given to our people included the land for six miles on either side of the Grand River. We actively tried to reclaim 132 acres of our land during the occupation of 2006 on Douglas Creek Estates, Caledonia. This site is now named Kanonhstaton, or the Protected Place. Most recently, our people have demanded a moratorium on housing developments and a return of uninhabited land to the original occupants of Turtle Island. Despite this request, we find further infringement of our land with the latest housing development on Mackenzie Meadows in Caledonia, or "1492 Landback Lane," named appropriately for what our people desire, getting our land back. Tensions run high on both sides of the debate, and Clanmothers support our people during occupations and our traditional government at any negotiation tables. Our people have never been opposed to sharing, encouraging the principle of "One Spoon, One Dish" as we work together to honour Mother Earth, our culture, and our people in the spirit of sharing. I encourage anyone interested in learning more about the Caledonia land claims issues and the role that Clanmothers undertake to watch "One Spoon, One Dish" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQP73VGFQ20