The Rotinonshonni ― A Traditional Iroquoian History Through the Eyes of Teharonhia:wako and Sawiskera

As part of his studies for a doctorate from the Native Traditional Knowledge Program at the California Institute of Integral Studies, Rice (education, University of Winnipeg) walked 700 miles through sites in the Mississippi River Valley, New York, Southern Quebec, and Ontario, following the traditional trail of the legendary Peacemaker, who united five warring nations that became the Rotinonshonni (Iroquois). During Rice's journey, he listened to present-day Iroquois leaders recite lengthy traditional histories from memory, especially the oral presentations of Cayuga Elder Jacob Thomas and those under his tutelage. Drawing on these oral presentations, plus the work of white scholars of the 19th and 20th centuries, Rice weaves together a complete account of the Iroquois creation story, the origin and unification of the Iroquois clans, the migration of the Iroquois to their traditional territory, and the European invasion and other historical events. The account is in Rice's own words, with extensive footnotes. The bibliography lists published primary sources, oral recitations conducted in the 1990s, and secondary sources. The book includes b&w photos of sites by the author. Annotation c2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Brian Rice is Associate Professor in the Department of Education at the University of Winnipeg and Adjunct Professor in the Arthur V. Mauro Centre for Peace and Justice at the University of Manitoba. A Mohawk scholar, Rice received his doctorate from the Native Traditional Knowledge Program at the California Institute of Integral Studies.