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ANIMALS |
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The
animals provide meat to be used as food. They provide furs and skins
to be used for making and
decorating clothing and blankets. Bones from animals are used to
make tools. The animals are part of the same web of life as the
human beings and so are referred to as brothers. The animals do what
they are supposed to do and so they are a reminder to the people
that they should also do what they are supposed to do. The animals
are part of the web of life and so are important in making sure that
life as we know it can continue. The animals and the leader of the
animals, the deer, are greeted and thanked each day by the
Haudenosaunee. |
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THE DEER The deer is the leader of all of the animals. He is looked upon as a peaceful animal. Deer antlers are attached to the sides of a chief’s Kastoweh (feathered hat) as a symbol of peace and leadership. The deer provides food (venison), furs and skins for making clothing and blankets, bones for making tools and sinew for making rope. The Deer Clan is one of the clans of the Haudenosaunee. The deer and all of the animals are part of the web of life and so are important in making sure that life as we know it can continue. The deer and all of the animals are greeted and thanked each day by the Haudenosaunee. |
 Deer Belt Buckle, glass beads by Bee Bee Ground, Seneca |
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The Fish The fish are a source of food. The fish help to clean the water. The fish are part of the web of life and so are important in making sure that life as we know it can continue.The fish are greeted and thanked each day by the Haudenosaunee. |
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THE BEAR
(click here to read the story of How the Bear Clan Got Medicine) The bear is important to the Haudenosaunee because it provides meat for food, furs and skins for making clothing and blankets, bones for making tools, sinew for making rope, and the teeth can be used in making jewelry. Bear fat and bear grease can be used to repel insects, for use in cosmetics and hair products, as an ingredient in making paints or dyes and for use in cooking. The Bear Clan is one of the clans of the Haudenosaunee. The bear and all of the animals are part of the web of life and so are important in making sure that life as we know it can continue. The bear and all of the animals are greeted and thanked each day by the Haudenosaunee. |
 "Bear" clay by Peter B. Jones, Onondaga |
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THE RABBIT The rabbit is important to the Haudenosaunee because it provides meat for food. Rabbit skin is used for making clothing. Many skins can be sewn together to make blankets. The rabbit and all of the animals are part of the web of life and so are important in making sure that life as we know it can continue. The rabbit and all of the animals are greeted and thanked each day by the Haudenosaunee. |