THE WORDS BEFORE ALL ELSE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Kaha:wi Dance Theatre grounds our creative and company work within the treaty lands of the Six Nations of the Grand River - our community home and within the ancestral lands of the Haudenosaunee, Mississaugas of the Credit and the Huron-Wendat in Tkaronto - our urban home.
Ohén:ton Karihwatéhkwen known as "the words that come before all else" is a foundational teaching of the Rotinonhshyón:ni (Haudenosaunee) and frames our existence within a living, spiritual and relational universe. Recited in the morning and evening, before all events and gatherings, it is intended to focus minds and hearts towards unity, thanksgiving and peaceful co-existence with creation. The creative intelligence of the natural world is acknowledged and spoken to as family. This encourages people to take care of, love and be responsible for the environment: within us, moving outward from self and upward to the cosmos.
Ohén:ton Karihwatéhkwen / “The Words Before All Else” / The Thanksgiving Address
Sewatahsí:yohst ken’nikarihwéhsa, ne’ ó:nen enkerihóhetste ne kanonhwaratónhthsera
These words help to bring our minds and hearts together to acknowledge, give thanks, and affirm our interconnections, compassion and responsibilities to live in balance and peace with all creation. Let our Minds be as One as we remember those who are sick and hurting, that they may find peace.
Tayethinonhwerá:ton ne
Onkwe’shón:’a
E’tho nenyontónhake ne onkwa’nikòn:ra
We want to give thanks to all people: our ancestors, our family and friends. Now Our Minds Are One.
Tayethinonhwerá:ton ne
Yethi’nihsténha tsyonhwentsyà:te
E’tho nenyontónhake ne onkwa’nikòn:ra
We give thanks to our Mother Earth, for She provides us with everything that we need to survive and thrive. Now Our Minds Are One.
Tayethinonhwerá:ton ne
Kahnekarónnyon
E’tho nenyontónhake ne onkwa’nikòn:ra
We give thanks to the Waters from the oceans to the streams, to the waters flowing in our body. Water is Life. Now Our Minds Are One.
Tayethinonhwerá:ton ne
Kentsyon’shón’a
E’tho nenyontónhake ne onkwa’nikòn:ra
We give thanks to the Fish, who help to purify the Water and provide us with nourishment. Now Our Minds Are One.
Tayethinonhwerá:ton ne
Yothontón:ni
E’tho nenyontónhake ne onkwa’nikòn:ra
We give thanks to the Plants from the grasses, to the medicines that help to purify and strengthen our body. Now Our Minds Are One.
Tayethinonhwerá:ton ne
Otsi’nonwa’shón:’a
E’tho nenyontónhake ne onkwa’nikòn:ra
We give thanks to the Insects who help to pollinate the plants. Now Our Minds Are One.
Tayethinonhwerá:ton ne
Tsyonnhéhkwen
E’tho nenyontónhake ne onkwa’nikòn:ra
We give thanks for our sustenance Foods. Now Our Minds Are One.
Tayethinonhwerá:ton ne
Wahyaniyóntha
E’tho nenyontónhake ne onkwa’nikòn:ra
We give thanks to the Fruit who help to nourish our body. Now Our Minds Are One.
Tayethinonhwerá:ton ne
Kontíryo
E’tho nenyontónhake ne onkwa’nikòn:ra
We give thanks to the Animals who sacrifice their lives to help sustenance us. Now Our Minds Are One.
Tayethinonhwerá:ton ne
Tsi’ten’okón:’a
E’tho nenyontónhake ne onkwa’nikòn:ra
We give thanks to the Birds, who’s beautiful song help to uplift our spirit and bring peace and calm to our hearts. Now Our Minds Are One.
Tayethinonhwerá:ton ne
Karonta’okón:’a
E’tho nenyontónhake ne onkwa’nikòn:ra
We give thanks to the Trees. We cannot live without the oxygen that they provide. Their roots and sap provide nourishment and cleansing for our body. Now Our Minds Are One.
Tayethinonhwerá:ton ne
Tsyowerawénrye
E’tho nenyontónhake ne onkwa’nikòn:ra
We give thanks to the circulating Winds who travel the Earth bringing new life and breath. Now Our Minds Are One.
Tayethinonhwerá:ton ne
Ratiwé:ras
E’tho nenyontónhake ne onkwa’nikòn:ra
We give thanks to the Grandfather Thunderers for purifying the air and awakening the Earth. Now Our Minds Are One.
Tatshitewanonhwerá:ton ne
Entyehké:ne karáhkwa
E’tho nenyontónhake ne onkwa’nikòn:ra
We give thanks to our eldest Brother Sun, who appears each morning to provide sunshine, protection and sustenance for all living things. Now Our Minds Are One.
Tayethinonhwerá:ton ne
Ahshenthenhnéhkha wenhní:tare
E’tho nenyontónhake ne onkwa’nikòn:ra
We give thanks to our Grandmother the Moon, for Her powerful pull on our Waters and connection to womxn. Now Our Minds Are One.
Tayethinonhwerá:ton ne
Yotsistohkwarónnyon
E’tho nenyontónhake ne onkwa’nikòn:ra
We give thanks to the Stars for providing us with guidance and direction. Now Our Minds Are One.
Tayethinonhwerá:ton ne
Teyonkhiyà:taton
E’tho nenyontónhake ne onkwa’nikòn:ra
We give thanks to the our Protectors, our spiritual Guardians, who provide clarity of mind and peace in our hearts. Now Our Minds Are One.
Tatshitewanonhwerá:ton ne
Ka’satstenhsera’ kó:wa Sa’oyé:ren
E’tho nenyontónhake ne onkwa’nikòn:ra
We give thanks to Creation, the creative energy that lives in everything and everywhere. Now Our Minds Are One.
Ta’ e’tho nikawén:nake, ta’ e’tho.
Oration version by Tehahenteh Miller (Six Nations)