Deyohahá:ge

This book explores the historical and contemporary significance of the Covenant Chain-Two Row Wampum, emphasizing peace and mutual respect. Deyohahá:ge serves as a guide for building better relations.

The term Deyohahá:ge:, meaning 'two roads or paths' in the Cayuga language, evokes the Covenant Chain-Two Row Wampum, often referred to as the 'grandfather of the treaties.' This significant Haudenosaunee wampum agreement illustrates how Indigenous peoples and newcomers can cultivate peace and friendship while honoring each other's cultures, beliefs, and laws as they navigate the river of life together. The book emphasizes the importance of mutual respect in fostering harmonious relationships.

Written by members of Six Nations and their neighbors, Deyohahá:ge presents chapters that not only recount the 17th-century history of the Dutch and British joining the wampum agreement but also explore its potential to restore good relations in contemporary society. Although many Canadians and Americans may be unfamiliar with the Covenant Chain or Two Row Wampum, the enduring legacy of this agreement remains relevant today. The authors argue that understanding this foundational wampum is crucial as it resurges in our communities, institutions, and courthouses, paving the way toward a hopeful future.

The writers of Deyohahá:ge delve into the eco-philosophy, legal evolution, and ethical protocols inherent in two-path peace-making. They navigate the sacred and ethical space that many individuals traverse between these paths, illustrating how contemporary society can foster peace, friendship, and respect in the everyday river of life.