Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address
The Words Before All Else
Greetings to the Natural World
The People
Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to one another as people.
Now our minds are one.
The Earth Mother
We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. We must every day honour her as she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our mother, we send greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Waters
We give thanks to all the waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many forms‐ waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers,oceans and even within our own bodies. We must also not forget our tears. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit of Water.
Now our minds are one.
The Fish
We turn our minds to the all the Fish life in the water. They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water. They are trying to do the best job they can. They also give themselves to us as food. We are grateful that we can still find pure water. So, we turn now to the Fish and send our greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Plants
Now we turn toward the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. They continue to thrive and fulfil their duties. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to come.
Now our minds are one.
The Food Plants
With one mind, we turn to honuor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden, our life sustainers. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables, beans and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living things draw strength from them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as one and send them a greeting of thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Medicine Herbs
Now we turn to all the Medicine herbs of the world. From the beginning they were instructed to help with sickness. They are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are happy there are still among us those special few who remember how to use these plants for healing. We take only what we need and ensure they continue to grow. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the Medicines and to the keepers of the Medicines.
Now our minds are one.
The Insects
We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the insects, the crawlers, the flyers, big and small, seen and unseen. They continue busily about fulfilling their duties. We see them and may be startled but we are glad that they are still here and will remain.
Now our minds are one
The Animals
We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. We are honoured by them when they give up their lives so we may use their bodies as food for our people. We see them near our homes and wild and free in the fields and forests. We are glad they are still here and we hope that it will always be so.
Now our minds are one
The Trees
We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth is bountiful with many different Trees who have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter and shade, others with fruit, sap and beauty. They are quite useful and the Maple is the leader of the trees. There is the tree of life, the tree is a symbol of peace and strength. With one mind, we greet and thank the Tree life.
Now our minds are one.
The Birds
We put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who move and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them beautiful songs. Each day they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle sits atop of the Tree of Peace and was chosen to be the guardian. To all the Birds‐from the tiniest to the largest, we send joyful greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Four Winds
We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. They help us to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us messages and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds.
Now our minds are one.
The Thunders
Now we turn to the west where our grandfathers, the Thunder Beings, live. With lightning and thundering voices, they bring with them the water that renews life. The lightning strikes the ground and renews the earth. The roaring thunders keeps the giant beings underground. We bring our minds together as one to send greetings and thanks to our Grandfathers, the Thunders.
Now our minds are one.
The Sun
We now send greetings and thanks to our eldest Brother, the Sun. Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west, bringing the light of a new day. He is the source of all the fires of life. He lights the earth. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Brother, the Sun.
Now our minds are one.
Grandmother Moon
We put our minds together to give thanks to our oldest Grandmother, the Moon, who lights the night‐time sky. She is the leader of woman, and she also directs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face we measure time. It is our beautiful Grandmother Moon who watches over the arrival of children here on Earth. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Grandmother, the Moon.
Now our minds are one.
The Stars
We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewelry. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness. They bring the morning dew to the gardens which also help things to grow. When we travel at night, they guide us home. With our minds gathered together as one, we send greetings and thanks to the Stars.
Now our minds are one.
The 4 Enlightened Protectors
We gather our minds to greet and thank the enlightened protectors who have come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony, they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people. They also help us through trying times and shield us. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring beings.
Now our minds are one.
The Creator
Now we turn our thoughts to the Creator, Great Mystery the one who made us, and send greetings and thanks for all the gifts of Creation. Everything we need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love that is still around us, we gather our minds together as one and send our most beautiful words of thankfulness to the Creator.
Now our minds are one.
Closing Words
We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it was not our intention to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way.
Now our minds are one.