When Sean was a small boy he loved to hangout with my sister Winnie because she would tell him stories. i remember her stories and I'd like to share one that she told Sean. After she told him he was a member of the Bear Clan, he looked at her curiosly and asked "what's the Bear Clan?

The Oneidas have three clans – turtle, wolf, and bear she told him....

Turtles teach patience and the importance of never giving up. Turtles are seen as strength and solidarity, old and wise, and are well respected.

The wolf teaches the importance of using your ears and being watchful. They embody a strong sense of family.

Bears are gentle and strong. Bears show that it takes more strength to NOT raise your hand to strike, compared to the impulse to strike.

This is the story she told him>>>>many have heard it many have repeated it, too many have not heard it..

It has been said that clans were chosen to have its origins in the Haudenosaunee mourning process.

Long time ago, the whole nation would grieve the death of a family member. Ceremonies and other important decisions were put off to mourn the death of a villager. The practice of postponing important decisions for the village caused problems because business matters were set aside. For many years the leaders could't find a way that allowed all the people to mourn the death of a villager and still continue with the day to day matters. 

 One day a young Indian man offered a solution to problem. He suggested they send the eldest women of the village down to the river to spend the night.“Ask those women to make a fire near the river and at first light the next morning, pray to the creator for an answer to this dilemma and to take notice of the first animals to approach the river. When the women come back from the river ask them what they saw.”

 

 The next morning. The women met with the leaders who asked them what they had seen. The first woman said she saw a TURTLE at the edge of the river. The second woman said she saw a WOLF running along the river. The third woman said she saw aBEAR feeding in the river on the rocks.

 

And so the leaders designated the Turtle, Wolf and Bear Clans to each family via the women and it was decided that the family clan would pass through the mother from generation to generation because they have the Creator’s gift to create life.

Now, with the clans set up, when one clan has a death in the family, one of the remaining clans console the grieving clan, leaving the other clanto attend to the ceremonies and important business affairs.

 

This is the story of how the clans were chosen. This custom is still practiced today and when Sean crossed over, our reservation leaders postponed all business in his honor.