Hiawatha

Date of Birth: c. 1525

Zodiac Sign: Unknown

Date of Death: c. 1595

Biography

Hiawatha was a preeminent Native American leader and statesman of the Iroquois Confederacy, instrumental in uniting the Five Nations—Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca—into a powerful alliance. Born in the early 16th century, Hiawatha is credited with promoting peace and unity among the warring tribes through the Great Law of Peace, a constitution that established democratic principles and governance structures still admired today. Hiawatha’s life is shrouded in both historical accounts and legend. Often said to be a follower of the Great Peacemaker, Deganawida, Hiawatha’s oratory skills and diplomatic acumen played crucial roles in convincing the tribes to come together. His efforts laid the groundwork for a stable and cooperative society that significantly influenced the political development of the Northeastern United States.

5 Interesting Facts about Hiawatha

1. Hiawatha is often associated with the Great Peacemaker Deganawida, who helped articulate the Great Law of Peace.

2. He was a member of the Mohawk tribe, one of the Five Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy.

3. The name “Hiawatha” means “He Makes Rivers,” symbolizing his role in bringing harmony.

4. The Great Law of Peace influenced the framers of the United States Constitution.

5. Hiawatha’s legacy is celebrated in Longfellow’s famous poem, “The Song of Hiawatha,” although it is a fictionalized account.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Hiawatha

1. “Peace is not merely the absence of war but the presence of justice, of law, of order—in short, of government.”

2. “A single twig breaks, but the bundle of twigs is strong.”

3. “We bind ourselves together by taking hold of each other’s hands so firmly and forming a circle so strong that if a tree should fall upon it, it could not shake or break it.”

4. “In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.”

5. “The greatest strength lies in unity, not in numbers.”