History books teach us that the Founding F athers birthed American democracy\, but do not reveal the Indigenous sourc es of inspiration that guided their vision. The Haudenosaunee Confederacy& rsquo\;s Great Law of Peace&mdash\;uniting six Nations in an alliance that predates the American Constitution by centuries&mdash\;served as a powerf ul example to men such as Benjamin Franklin\, who benefited from the polit ical guidance of Haudenosaunee leaders. Franklin directly cited the Law&rs quo\;s influence on the Constitution.
\nBut even Franklin did not co mprehend the political and spiritual power held by the clan mothers of the se matriarchal societies\, who were instrumental to building and maintaini ng a peaceful union. Join storyteller Fern Renville as she shares stories both mythic and personal that reframe and highlight the history\, present\ , and future of Indigenous female power and leadership in America. Such st ories include the Seneca story of The Peacemaker and the Dakota story of W hite Buffalo Calf Woman.
\nFern Naomi Renville \;(she/her) is a Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota\, Omaha\, and Seneca-Cayuga storyteller\, theatre director\, and playwright. She is the great-granddaughter of Melinda Cayu ga\, a Seneca matriarch who exemplified the loving strength of the clan mo thers.
\nThis program celebrates Native American Heritage Month and is funded by Humanities Washington. \;
\nRegister and you will r eceive an email with instructions on how to participate.
\nTechnolog y requirements: You will need a device or computer with an internet connec tion and the Chrome browser\, microphone and speakers to participate via Z oom.
\nhttps://spokanelibrary.libnet.info/event/5581270 URL;VALUE=URI:https://spokanelibrary.libnet.info/event/5581270 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR