Naho:ten Ionathro:ri Ne Kahwistara:ken Tanon Ohwistano:ron Ohniareko:wa: The Prophecy of the Two Serpents

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Title:	Naho:ten Ionathro:ri Ne Kahwistara:ken Tanon Ohwistano:ron Ohniareko:wa: The Prophecy of the Two Serpents	Author:	Tewateronhiakhwa Mina Beauvais
Number Of Pages:	43	Subject:	Character Education, Children - Non-Fiction, Language, Legends
Grade Level:	Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten	Publication Date:	N/A
ISBN:	N/A	Publisher:	Kanehsatake Education Centre

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Naho:ten Ionathro:ri Ne Kahwistara:ken Tanon Ohwistano:ron Ohniareko:wa: The Prophecy of the Two Serpents is a Mohawk language resource adapted by Tewateronhiakhwa Mina Beauvais for use by elementary students at Kanehsatake, Quebec. This illustrated story explains a Mohawk prophecy in allegory form. The story begins with two hunters setting out in their canoe as they search for game. On their journey they encounter a wonderful sight. Before them are two small serpents with brilliant colour radiating from the pair. One serpent was gold and the other was silver. The hunters knew their village would congratulate the men when they returned with these fascinating serpents. So back to the village they went. The people took good care of the serpents, feeding them small insects. But over time the serpents grew and needed larger accommodations and more food. Eventually they serpents grew so large the people despaired. In fact the gold and silver monsters escaped and ravaged the land. The gold one travelled south and its silver companion went north. In time the people lost all hope with their constant bickering about how to conquer the serpents. One day as the people viewed the destruction to their homeland and waters, a man from the land of the Kanienkeha:ka saw the golden one head for Mohawk country. In fact the silver serpent was also making its way to the Mohawk village where both had lived three hundred years previous. Despite the arguing of the Mohawk people they recalled the ancient legend about the serpents. The Creator had informed the people that one day a boy would take a bow made from willow and its string made from the clanmothers' hair and with a special arrow show the people how to defeat the serpents. This bow and arrow would protect the people from the ravages of the serpents known today as the United States and Canada. The colour pencil drawings accompany the Mohawk and English text of this prophecy. The work of the Language teachers and educators at Tsi Ronterihwanonhnha Ne Kanienkeha keep the traditional stories and Mohawk language alive for the coming generations in this publication.