"Lately our longhouses have become more and more dogmatic and fundamentalistic in their interpretation of our cultural teachings and this has contributed to our weakened state, with accusations that our elected leaders are sellouts and violators of sacred laws. My whole stance is that Iroquois culture is the birthright of all of us, even those that do not participate in the longhouse, and I aim to make it more accessible to everyone, freed from the extremism and intolerance that continues to divide us and leaves us defenseless to outside threats."

Mohawk Darren Bonaparte, a writer, historian, and artist from Akwesasne Territory in Ontario, visited the Center for Indigenous Law, Governance & Citizenship at Syracuse University College of Law on February 20 to discuss his book, Creation & Confederation, The Living History of the Iroquois. This book, a study of the Rotinonshonni literary tradition as it relates to the creation story, migration legends, and the mission of the Peacemaker, presents written versions of Iroquois cultural myths and illustrates how they evolved over time, taking in different influences as they go. Rather than being sacred texts carved in stone, they are the product of a living culture that continues to evolve and one that isn’t afraid to absorb elements of other cultures as the white roots of peace spread beneath the surface of the earth.

Bonaparte is a former elected chief of the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne. His articles have been published in Aboriginal Voices, Winds of Change, The Nation, and Native Americas magazine. He has edited the Akwesasne Notes and Indian Time newspapers and is the author of the web site "The Wampum Chronicles: A Website of Mohawk History." URL: http://www.wampumchronicles.com/