And Grandma Said... Iroquois Teachings: As Passed Down Through the Oral Tradition

by Tom Porter

The Iroquois culture and traditional Longhouse spirituality has a universal appeal, a ring of truth to it that resonates not only with other indigenous people, but also with non-Native people searching for their own spiritual roots. Raised in the home of a grandmother who spoke only Mohawk, Sakokweniónkwas (Tom Porter) was asked from a young age, to translate for his elders. After such intensive exposure to his grandparents' generation, he is able to recall in vivid detail, the stories and ceremonies of a culture hovering on the brink of extinction. After devoting most of his adult life to revitalizing the culture and language of his people, Tom finally records here, the teachings of a generation of elders who have been gone for more than twenty years. Beginning with an introduction about why he is only now beginning to write all this down, he works his way chronologically through the major events embedded in Iroquois oral history and ceremony, from the story of creation, to the beginnings of the clan system, to the four most sacred rituals, to the beginnings of democracy, brought to his people by the prophet and statesman his people refer to as the Peacemaker. Interspersed with these teachings, Tom tells us in sometimes hilarious, sometimes tragic detail, the effect of colonization on his commitment to those teachings. Like a braid, the book weaves back and forth between these major teachings, and briefer teachings on topics such as pregnancy, child-rearing and Indian tobacco, weaving the political with the spiritual. Through his recollections of "Grandma," and what she said, we also get an inside view of the life of a Mohawk man, and his struggles. Sometimes articulate and at other times inventive with his second language of English, Tom takes us on the journey with him, asking us to trade eyes, by "erasing the blackboard" to see if we "can understand what a Mohawk sees, feels, is happy about and is sad about." Chapter sections and headings The Opening Address, Colonialism, Creation Story, Language in 3D, The Clan System, Trading Eyes, Funerals and Contradictions, A Language Dilemma, The Fog, Where We've Settled, The Four Sacred Rituals, the Seed Game, The Four Sacred Beings, Three Souls or Spirits and Ohkí we, Weddings, Pregnancies, A Spiritual Ladder, Child Rearing Methods, The Great Law of Peace, Some Notes on Tobacco and Other Medicine, The Leadership, Casinos, Prayer?, The Future and The Closing Address. There is also an appendix of interviews with Tom's children, What Grandma's Great-Grandchildren Learned. Written as it is, by someone raised predominantly by a grandmother, it contains teachings which might otherwise be lost. The Iroquois culture and traditional Longhouse spirituality (of which Mohawk is one of five - and more recently six - nations) has a universal appeal, a ring of truth to it that resonates not only with other indigenous people, but also with non-Native people searching for their own spiritual roots. Due to the suppression of indigenous spirituality and culture, not only in Iroquois country, but across North America, many are searching to recover the remnants of what has been lost. This book makes a significant contribution to doing that, having been written by one of the original leaders of the revitalization movement. During the 1960s and 1970s this Mohawk Bear Clan Elder traveled extensively across North America with a group called the White Roots of Peace, a group which has been credited as the original stimulus for the growing trend to return to traditional ways on this continent.

Genres: Indigenous, History, Native American

466 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2008

About the author

Thomas R. Porter (Sakokwenionkwas, “The One Who Wins”) has been the founder, spokesperson, and spiritual leader of the Mohawk Community of Kanatsiohareke (Ga na jo ha lay gay) located in the Mohawk Valley near Fonda, New York since 1993. He is a member of the Bear Clan of the Mohawk Nation at Akwesasne.

Reviews

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though I grew up on the rez, I felt really disconnected from the traditional teachings and stories for a really long time and I have a large gap in my knowledge. This is exactly the type of resource I’d been looking for and I’m grateful to have read this, I feel like I understand so much more about Mohawk history that I can build on more now! I can definitely see myself coming back to this a lot when I want a refresher

(There are definitely a few things in here that I disagree with a lot or don’t fully understand Toms perspective, but I think that just comes with the territory, our traditions are designed to evolve and change over time and this book is old lol)

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book. Being Mohawk, reading how such a well-respected elder from my community perceived our teachings and stories and culture and shared them with others was awesome. Seeing this representation and sharing in culture through reading was so important to me. I even loved Tom’s ways of speaking and telling- it was so fun for me. I’m incredibly grateful that this books exists.

[Karl Dockstader · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to know about the ways of the people original to this land then this is required reading. It's a great book to start to understand the ways of the Haudenosaunee people. It is easy to read, entertaining, and an important perspective from one of the leading voices of the Ukwehu:we people.

[Andrew Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good introduction to Iroquois Teachings, a more authentic approach than many anthropological studies. Tom Porter is a dreamer and the book is quality.

[Dawn Brotherton · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE this book. Very down-to-earth way to learn about the Native American culture. Written in short stories so easy to digest.

[Stephanie Zahrbock]

MBS Laura of Sangha is All recommendation 11/2025

[A.J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning about the Iroquois stories and traditions from Tom Porter (and his grandmother). There were a few that felt as though they had been overly influenced by Christianity, but even those felt as though there was a kernel of older stories inside them.

I loved the Mohawk approach to disciplining children - seems so much more civilised than what the indigenous children faced when they had to attend Canadian or American schools.

[Felix · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read for insight on Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) and more specifically Mohawk (Kanien'kehá:ka) culture, history, and teachings.

This was beautifully written, and it really does feel like Tom Porter is sitting in front of you, telling each story to you directly. He has an incredible amount of wisdom to share, and does so beautifully. Each story is told in an approachable way, without being overly wordy and hard to read, yet he still gives plenty of detail and wisdom on every subject.

[Natalie C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not so sure about the "Non Native People searching for their spiritual roots" part, as this kind of interpretation is dangerous in terms of creating a pan-Indianism and New-Age feel which it is NOT supposed to be geared towards...great book though, gives a really interesting insight into Haudenosaunee culture and ways.