Courtesy John Fadden

Help our community heal. Help our nation find Peace. Join us on Sunday June 1, 2003 at 1:30 PM at Christ the King Church in Liverpool, NY (followed by a tree planting at Onondaga Lake Park (Willow Bay Section--at the mouth of the Seneca river)) as we reinvigorate the spirit of Peace born on the shores of Onondaga Lake long ago. Jake Swamp from the Tree of Peace Society, Chief of the Wolf Clan for the Mohawk nation will be conducting a tree of peace planting and ceremony. (See below to learn more about the ceremony and Jake)

From the Tree of Peace Society

'Participants will first understand the message that is symbolized by the one thousand-year-old tree of Peace Ceremony. The history of the Great Law of Peace is recounted to promote healing among individuals with an expression of hope visualized. The original symbol of the tree of peace is a white pine tree; we like to plant the original symbolic so that the meanings can be shared….

Black, white, yellow and red ribbons that represent the different human races are tied to the tree as part of the ceremony. Individuals are welcomed to take a part in the ceremony by burying something physical that represent negative things that may have been carried in the past. By burying past negative feeling individuals will feel a tremendous feeling of release and will acquire a sense of renewal….

Tekaronianeken, Jake Swamp was born on October 18, 1941 in Akwaesasne of the Mohawk territory… As a leader for the Mohawk Nation, his responsibilities include presiding over thanksgiving ceremonies, general politics of the nation and the Haudenosauneee Confederacy, birth and marriage ceremonies, counseling, funeral rites and various other duties.

In addition to these nation and community responsibilities, Jake Swamp has been involved in many activities over the years that speak highly of his commitment to the plight of native peoples o the Americas. He was part of the delegation that took part in the negotiations after the Wounded Knee occupation, and involved in the longest walk. He attended the Russell Tribunal in the Netherlands, the Gangienkeh land reclamation, the Akwesasne bridge blockade. He has traveled to Geneva Switzerland as on the delegates of the Iroquois nation, he sits on the council of the Iroquois Confederacy…

Since 1984, he has traveled extensively planting trees for peace, based on our history in the Great Law of Peace. Travels include visits and tree plantings in all parts of the world. He helped in the organization of planting of peace trees along the Berlin Wall in Germany..'

Interested in further honoring the sacredness of Onondaga Lake? Join us after the Peace Tree ceremony by the tree of Peace.

To learn hy Onondaga Lake and its environs are sacred and of the influence of the Great Law of Peace upon our constitution. Sacred Space

Contact coordinators
Jeanne DeSocio--315-652-1565
madis senner 315-463-5369, Email

Bring blankets and lawn chairs.

Donations: We will be asking for donations to cover the cost of this event. Any additional money raised will be used to help designate sacred places within Onondaga Lake Park.

Steering committee

for a map and directions to get to Christ the King Church dlick on the following:

Map of Christ the King Church 27 Cherry Tree Cir
Liverpool, NY 13090-2454

To access information, a map of the park as well as directions go to the Onondaga County Parks Page

For visitor information go to: Syracuse Visitors Center