THE FIRST AMERICANS

Press, 13 June 1978, Page 10

THE FIRST AMERICANS

By

Raphael J. MacLoughlin

Bound to the pole that had been built in the centre of the Longhouse floo', an Algonkian prisoner shows no pain as the heated blade of an Iroquois torturer’s knife burns and cuts its way into his flesh. Once, twice, thrice . . . The blade is slowly withdrawn, re-heated, and inserted again, widening a gaping wound. Blood spurts and courses its way down one of the captives pinioned arms. Suddenly, the commanding voice of a -Longhouse matron halts the inflictment of further torture. She is the mother of the bride provided for the Algonkian on the eve of his torture. Her daughter is in love with the prisoner.

The matron says that if the Algonkian will marry' her daughter, he will be adopted into the Iroquois tribe and treated with respect. The chiefs, as members of the Iroquois council, may not agree with

this, but as each has to live with his wife, and as she owns their home, stock, and surrounding farmlands, we can understand why they do not openly oppose the decision. Moreover, as we already' know, the matrons can depose a chief by the power of recall. The council officially extends the honour to the prisoner and he accepts. We may think of him as a traitor, but his own tribe will think none the worse of him for having joined another tribe under such circumstances. In fact, if we only knew it, many of the warriors surrounding us might be naturalised foreigners. By accepting the girl as his wife, the Algonkian gains a partner who is wealthy in property, for she brings with her fields of corn, beans, and squash. Let us look closely a' the two of them, as now unbound, he stands while she carefully tends his wound.

We are immediately struck by the difference in their ages. The Algonkian is much older. The girl has acquired an experienced warrior and hunter who knows well how to provide for and protect his family. When it came to arranging marriages the Longhouse matrons were not averse to romance as long as it was practical. Once again, the Algonkian is congratulated by the Iroquois who now regard him as a fellow tribesman. There is no mention of his wound, or of what else they might have done to him. It is in the past, forgotten by all concerned. Akwiah tells me that the Algonkian will now live with his wife’s family. However, there is still the matter of the counterfeit wampum to be settled. While the now married couple rest, the problem is discussed bv the council.

At. last, a decision has been reached, agreeable to

all council members and their people, The Algonkians will receive a “vish”, the element of

surprise will, be on the s’de of-the Iroquois as it is not usual for Woodland Indians to leave their settlement during winter. You . wish to follow them? We had better take our snowshoes with us. You are amazed at the large gathering. Four clans are present, each led by their own chief, and the total number of men is 1500.

These are not ordinary tribesmen. They are part of the Iroquois, army whose’ sole occupation is • the defence of its village and the waging of war. The Iroquois are unique; among Indians in having such a large body of mere available at a given time for such a purpose. -The stockade gates are opened and the silent warriors depart, being swal« lowed up by the swirling, snow . . .