What is handsome lake

Following the war, he was present at the major treaty-making councils between the Haudenosaunee and the United States. Demoralized by the results of the war, he began to drink excessively and his health increasingly deteriorated. On June 15, , his daughter sought out his nephew Blacksnake to tell him that her father was dead.

But when the nephew went to Ganiodaio's bedside, he found "a warm spot on his chest" that proved he was still alive. When Handsome Lake awoke from his coma, he told of a series of visits he had from the messengers of the Creator. He used those visions, as well as others he would have later, to create a new way of life for the Senecas to follow. Known today as the Gaiwiio, the message speaks against such detriments as alcohol, land sales and witchcraft.

Handsome Lake's new way of life for the Senecas received support from the Society of Friends Quakers who had been invited by Cornplanter to Jenuchshadago in order to help the Senecas at Allegany adjust to a new way of living.

The Quakers saw Handsome Lake's visions as a strong positive force on the Reservation. Accessed 11 November In The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Article published August 09, ; Last Edited December 16, The Canadian Encyclopedia , s. Thank you for your submission Our team will be reviewing your submission and get back to you with any further questions.

Thanks for contributing to The Canadian Encyclopedia. Article by Derek G. Further Reading A. Wallace, The Death and Rebirth of the Seneca Gradually, the sentiment of the people turned against Handsome Lake for what they considered an overzealous pursuit of witches. As a result of this change in attitude, he stopped his accusatory methods and briefly assumed a less prominent leadership role. Handsome Lake once again became popular during the War of and attracted many new followers.

The rise of Handsome Lake's religion was more successful than most religions during that time, apparently because his code combined traditional Iroquois religion with white Christian values. It stressed survival without the sacrifice of the Iroquois identity, and recognized the realistic need to make adjustments in order to survive in their changing world. The Code of Handsome Lake, published around , played a significant role in the preservation of the Iroquois cultural heritage and was popular throughout the Iroquois nations in Canada and in the United States.

His religious beliefs were carried on by Blacksnake and other disciples, and his teachings remain a compelling force among the Iroquois. Dockstader, Frederick J. Leitch, Barbara A. Clair Shores, Michigan, Scholarly Press, ; Group, ; Wallace, Anthony F.

Sturtevant, Smithsonian Institution, ;