Iroquois Pictograph

This pictograph was presented to George Fox University by Ray and Elizabeth Levesque of Point Roberts Washington on March, 30th, 2005 at Tilikum Retreat Center in Newberg, Oregon. It depicts a treaty of: "friendship and peace" between the Iroquois chief Jacob E. Thomas and George Washington in the year 1789. This treaty stated that the two parties would be friends forever and that their common Destiny on the land was one of peaceful coexistence. Since they both needed the land for each of their people groups to survive, they agreed to share everything until "the sun stop shining on the earth, the water stopped flowing, and the grass stops growing green." or, in essence, until the end of time. This is an everlasting and eternal treaty. The pictograph also speaks to 1/16 13 friendship treaty made between one of the six Iroquois tribes, the Mohawk, and the Dutch. The English / American clipper ship speaks to the values of the Euro Americans: submission to 1 Authority, Thrift, and hard work. The Birch canoe speaks to the values of the North American Indians: consensus, work that is necessary, and generosity. The Clipper ship has one captain and he is easily recognized by his hat. He governs all who are on his ship. The canoe has no Captain. It is hard to tell who the leader is. There is a large shell in between both vessels which speaks to the necessary boundaries that each culture is to abide by. Each vessel represents a different worldview and people group, their laws, their customs and their ways. Each vessel she'll travel side by side, but no person from either boat will try and steer the other vessel. Respecting each other's boundaries and ways of doing things, and not interfering with those ways, keeps the relationship in a constant state of friendship and peace. The two shells on either side of the vessel speak to the resources that are in the water which is represented by the blue cloth background. Each vessel has a necessity to gather resources from the water and each vessel needs to be mindful of the need to share those resources equitably so all can feast and eat. Even though the Euro American people are more numerous than the North American Indians, and will require more resources, they must be mindful of the needs of the Indian people to get their fair share. The silver chain which wraps around the top of the pictograph and around the shells speaks to the inability for the relationship of peace and friendship to be broken. The chain is strong and so is the commitment to peace and friendship. The chain, however, can become tarnished, and soak in the relationship. Therefore the two parties must meet annually to Feast together and renew this friendship. This Gathering allows the silver chain to remain bright and shiny and prevent misunderstandings. The ribbons on the top and bottom of the pictographs speak to the two races, white and red. The green ribbon represents the land. The gold ribbon speaks to the greed which created the original problem between us. Underneath the gold is the color purple which signifies The Untold suffering of both people groups. Finally, the border of blue yellow and red and black signifies the four directions and ultimate or complete Harmony. The 7 triangles in each honor the seven Cherokee Clans. Presented to George Fox University by Ray and Elizabeth Levesque of Point Roberts, Washington on March 30, 2005 at Tilikum Retreat Center in Newberg, Oregon. It was displayed in the seminary until 2022 when it was given to the archives by Dr. Mary Kate Morse