The Treaty of Fort Stanwix

Reader’s Theater

The Treaty of Fort Stanwix

Cast Members: Clan Mother Peacekeeper(s) American Negotiator Scout

Peacekeeper(2) New York Statesman

Narrator: It is 1784 in the new nation called America. The Haudenosaunee are frustrated with the Americans disrespect for their land. Though they have tried to avoid war, they have captured Americans who were violating their land. The time has come to reach a final agreement or to fight.

Scout (running into the Native American village): The Americans have done it again, Clan Mother. They have burned more of our trees and destroyed our fall hunting grounds. Why is this happening? (Holding up a two-row wampum) We had an agreement to not interfere with the ways of the others. We must do something!

Clan Mother: The time has come to make an agreement with our American brothers about how we will live peacefully on the land, respecting the gift of our Creator. The Clan Mothers would like you, as our Peacekeeper, to meet with the Americans.

Narrator: With the guidance from the Clan Mother to reach a peaceful agreement, the Peacemaker goes to Fort Stanwix to meet with the American negotiator.

Peacekeeper: I will meet with the American and express our belief that the land belongs to our people and that no one can own land. The Creator requires that we preserve and respect the land.

(Peacekeeper turns to American Negotiator)

American Negotiator: We want to work with you to keep peace among the Haudenosaunee and the Americans. We do not want to fight. We only want to share the land and live together in harmony. However, we must have the release of our American soldiers who you hold captive.

Peacekeeper: We also want peace with our American brothers, but must stop the destruction of our trees and waterways and the slaughter of our animals.

American Negotiator: We need the waterways to help us trade with the Haudenosaunee. This is how we bring goods to trade from far away lands.

Peacekeeper: Our people have lived on this land since the beginning of time. It is important for all of us to care for it and reach an agreement that we with all live by. Our land cannot be owned by white man.

American Negotiator: We can agree to respect the land of your people if you will allow us to use the waterways and cross your land peacefully.

Peacekeeper: My people will allow you to use the water and land for transport as long as you do not interfere with our way of life. We will not allow white men to own our land or to build upon it.

American Negotiator: You must guarantee the Haudenosaunee will not occupy the land four miles east of Niagara between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie forever more. In return, the United States will not take your lands or interfere with the Six Nations. However, you must release all prisoners.

Peacekeeper: As a Peacekeeper of the Haudenosaunee I will carry this agreement to my people.

American Negotiator: I will also take this back to the Americans. We will meet again to finalize our agreement.

Narrator: The Peacekeeper returns to his village to make a wampum representing this agreement. The American Negotiator writes a treaty. Each side felt an acceptable compromise had been reached. However, the State of New York did not abide by this agreement.

Scout: The Americans are building on our land! They have cut trees and are making a trading post! (hold up wampum belt) This agreement means nothing! They say they are from New York and not bound by this agreement.

Clan Mother: We must send a Peacekeeper to talk to these people from New York about the agreement their leaders made with us.

(Peacekeeper takes wampum and goes to meet with New York leaders)

Peacekeeper: Your leaders at Fort Stanwix promised that white men would respect our lands and agreed to not disturb our borders. You are violating this agreement. We only want to live in peace.

New York Statesman: Under the Articles of Confederation the United States officials at Fort Stanwix do not make agreements for the state of New York. We are not bound by this agreement. We need this trading post to expand our states westward expansion.

Peacekeeper: The agreement represented in this wampum and in the written words of the white man, prevents states from interfering with our land or way of life. To keep peace, you must stop building on our land.

New York Statesman: In order for our state to prosper we must continue to expand and use the resources of the land to make our state strong.

Narrator: New York continued to take Native American land. Many years later the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the Fort Stanwix treaty must be enforced and no further land could be taken. Who do you think was right in this dispute?