Jigonhsasee facts for kids
Jigonhsasee (also spelled Jikonhsaseh) was an important Iroquoian woman. She is known as a co-founder of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy. She worked with the Great Peacemaker and Hiawatha to create this powerful alliance of nations. This happened sometime between the 12th and 17th centuries. Jigonhsasee became known as the Mother of Nations among the Iroquois people.
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The Story of Jigonhsasee
According to the stories passed down by the Haudenosaunee people, Jigonhsasee lived along a path often used by warriors. She was known for being very welcoming to all warriors. They would stop at her home as they traveled to and from battles.
At her home, warriors from different groups could gather peacefully around her fire. As they ate her food, Jigonhsasee would listen to them. She learned about their thoughts and feelings. She also gave them advice.
Meeting the Great Peacemaker
It was in this setting that the Great Peacemaker came to meet her. He had a big idea for peace among the warring nations. He wanted to create a strong alliance, or confederacy.
Jigonhsasee liked his idea. She asked him how this peace would work. The Great Peacemaker explained that it would be like a longhouse. In a longhouse, many families live together as one big household. Each family has its own fire, but they all share one home.
He said that the nations would live as one. They would have one mind and follow one law. Instead of fighting, they would use their minds to solve problems. This new way of living would create a strong and peaceful community.
Mother of Nations
Jigonhsasee understood how powerful this idea of peace was. The Great Peacemaker gave her an important job. She was to help decide which men would lead the peace gatherings. He also gave women the power to choose the chiefs of the longhouse in the future.
Because she was the first person to support his peace movement, the Great Peacemaker called her the Mother of Nations.
Honoring Jigonhsasee
Jigonhsasee's legacy continues to be honored today. In the late 20th century, scientists named one of the main groups of human mitochondrial DNA haplogroups found in Native American populations after her. This group is called Djigonasee, recognizing her importance in history.
See also
- List of peace activists
