“Words, Writers & Southwest Stories’, a speaker series of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, is pleased to announce that it is hosting Fern Naomi Renville for a live Zoom presentation on Thursday, October 13th at 6 PM. Ms. Renville will deliver a presentation entitled “American Democracy’s Indigenous Roots and Future” REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
History books teach us that the Founding Fathers birthed American democracy, but do not reveal the Indigenous sources of inspiration that guided their vision. The Haudenosaunee Confederacy’s Great Law of Peace – united six Nations in an alliance that predates the American Constitution by centuries – served as a powerful example to men such as Benjamin Franklin, who benefited from the political guidance of Haudenosaunee leaders. Franklin directly cited the Law’s influence on the Constitution.
But even Franklin did not comprehend the political and spiritual power held by the clan mothers of these matriarchal societies, who were instrumental to building and maintain a peaceful union.
Fern Renville is a Siseton Wahpeton Dakota, Omaha and Seneca-Cayuga storyteller, theater director and playwright. She is the great-granddaughter of Melinda Cayuga, a Seneca matriarch who exemplified the loving strength of the clan mothers.
She will share stores both mythic and personal that reframe and highlight the history, present, and future of Indigenous female power and leadership in America. Such stories include the Seneca story of The Peacemaker and the Dakota story of White Buffalo Calf Woman.
Registration is required. Registered participants will be emailed a link to the presentation on the date of the event. Please register for this event by filling out the form below.
This program is part of the Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau. The Historical Society is grateful to Humanities Washington for their support.
This talk is also made possible by the support of our partner The Seattle Public Library and our sponsors 4Culture, The City of Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, Luna Park Cafe, Alki Beach Academy, and HomeStreet Bank.
