This prayer is a gift from the Haudenosaunee people (Iroquois Nation), words of thanksgiving with ancient roots from the time when the Great Law of Peace was brought to the Iroquois Nation by the Peacemaker, an Iroquois prophet, statesman, and lawgiver, who advised them to end intertribal warfare. Variations of these words are still recited at all times of the year at the opening and closing of ceremonial and governmental meetings held by the Haudenosaunee. Translated by Jiří Zemánek, based on an English translation of the Mohawk version of the Iroquois Thanksgiving, compiled and published in 1993 and provided with the kind permission of the Six Nations Indian Museum.
We greet the world of nature
Greetings People
Today we gather and see the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and with all living things. Therefore, we now join our minds, hearts and bodies as one as we greet and thank each other as Humans.
Now our minds are one.
Greetings Mother Earth
We are all grateful to our Mother, the Earth, because she gives us everything we need to live. She supports our feet as we walk on her. She gives us joy by taking care of us as she has taken care of us since the beginning of time. We send our greetings and thanks to our Mother.
Now our minds are one.
Greetings Waters
We give thanks to all the waters of the world for quenching our thirst and giving us strength. Water is life. We know its power in many forms – waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit of Water.
Now our minds are one.
Greetings Fish
We turn our minds to the life of all the fish in the water. The fish were commissioned to purify and clarify the water. They also give themselves to us as food. We are grateful that we can still find clean water. Therefore, we now turn to the Pisces and send them our greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
Greetings Plants
We now turn to the vast realms of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, Plants grow and work wonders. They support many forms of life. With our minds joined together, we give thanks to them and look forward to watching Plant life for many generations to come.
Now our minds are one.
Greetings Crops
With one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Crops we harvest from our gardens. Since the beginning of time, grains, vegetables, beans, and berries have helped people survive. Many other living creatures also draw their strength from them. Let us gather all the Crops as one and send them greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
Greetings Medicinal herbs
Now we turn to all the Medicinal Plants of the world. From the beginning they were told to help with diseases and elevate our human consciousness. They are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are glad that there are still those few exceptional people among us who remember how to use these plants for healing. With one mind we send greetings and thanks to the Medicinal Plants and their guardians.
Now our minds are one.
Greetings Animals
We have joined our minds to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal Life in the world. Animals have many things to teach us as humans. We see them near our homes and in the deep forests. We are glad that they are still here, and we hope that they will be so forever.
Now our minds are one.
Greetings Trees
Now we turn our thoughts to the Trees. There are many families of Trees on Earth, each with its own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter and shade, others with fruit, beauty and other useful things. Many peoples of the world use the Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. With one mind we salute and thank the Tree Life.
Now our minds are one.
Greetings Birds
We join our minds into one whole and thank all the Birds that move and fly above our heads. The Creator gave them beautiful songs. Every day they remind us to rejoice in life and appreciate it. The Eagle was chosen as their leader. To all the Birds – from the smallest to the largest – we send joyful greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one thing.
Greetings Four Winds
We give thanks to the powers known as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air, we feel them refreshing us and purifying the air we breathe. They help bring about the changes of the seasons. They come from the four directions, bringing us messages and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds.
Now our minds are one.
Greetings Thunderer
Now we turn to the west, where our Grandfathers, the Thunder Beings, live. With lightning and thunderous voices, they bring with them the water that renews life. We join our minds as one to send greetings and thanks to our Grandfathers, the Thunder Lords.
Now our minds are one.
Greetings Sun
Now we send greetings and thanks to our eldest Brother, the Sun. Every day the Sun travels across the sky from east to west without ceasing, bringing the light of a new day. It is the source of all the fires of life. With a united mind we send greetings and thanks to our Brother, the Sun.
Now our minds are one.
Greetings Grandma Luna
We join our minds and give thanks to our oldest Grandmother, the Moon, who lights the night sky. She is the leader of women throughout the world, connecting all feminine cycles and controlling the movement of the ocean tides. By the changing face of the Moon we measure time and it is the Moon who oversees the arrival of children here on Earth. With one mind we send greetings and thanks to our Grandmother, the Moon.
Now our minds are one.
We salute the stars We give thanks to the stars that are scattered across the sky like jewels. We see them at night, helping the Moon illuminate the darkness, and bringing dew to gardens and helping plants grow. When we travel at night, they guide us home. With minds united as one, we send greetings and thanks to all the stars.
Now our minds are one.
Greetings Enlightened teachers
We join our minds to greet and thank the enlightened Teachers who have come to help us throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony, they remind us of the way we were taught to live as humans. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring Teachers.
Now our minds are one.
Greetings Creator
Now we turn our thoughts to the Creator, to the Great Spirit, and send Him our greetings and thanks for all the gifts of Creation. Everything we need for a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love that is always around us, we unite our minds into one whole and send to the Creator our choicest words of greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
Final words
Now we have come to the point where our words end. Of all the things we have listed, it was not our intention to leave anything out. If we have forgotten anything, we leave it to each one to send these greetings and thanks in their own way.
Now our minds are one.
