These words are based upon The Thanksgiving Address, an ancient message of peace and appreciation of Mother Earth and all her inhabitants.

These words come to us from the Native people known as the Haudenosaunee, also known as the Iroquois or Six nations - Mohawk, Oneida, Cayuga, Onondaga, Seneca and Tuscarora.

These words are still spoken at Cerimonial and Government gatherings held by the Six nations. Children, too, ate taught to greet the world each morning by saying thank you to all living things.

Ohenton Kariwatehkwen Teiethonwartonhkhwa
Akwekon Onkweshona entitewatkawe ne kanonhweratonthsera
Akwekon onkweshona ne Lethinistenha Ohontsia
Teiethinonhwaraton ne Ohnekashona
Teiethinonhwaraton ne Ohonteshona
Teiethinonhwaraton ne Kakhwashona
Teiethinonhwaraton ne Kahishona
Teiethinonhwaraton ne Ononhkwashona
Teiethinonhwaraton ne Kontiro
Teiethinonhwaraton ne karontashona
Teiethinonhwaraton ne Otsitenokona
Teiethinonhwaraton ne Kaieri Nikawerake
Teiethinonhwaraton ne Ratiweras
Teiethinonhwaraton ne Ahsonhthenhneka Karahkwa
Teiethinonhwaraton ne Tshitewahtsia Karahkwa
Teiethinonhwaraton ne Otsistohkwashona
Teiethinonhwaraton ne Kaieri Niionkwetake
Teiethinonhwaraton ne Shankwaiatson

For those not fluent in Mohawk... We now the same thing (roughly translated) in English... ;-)

To be a human being is an honor and we offer thanksgiving for all the gifts of life.

Mother Earth, we thank you for giving us everything we need.

Thank you deep blue waters around Mother Earth, for you are the force that takes thirst away from all living things.

We give thanks to green grasses that feel so good against our bare feet, for the cool beauty you bring to Mother Earth's floor.

Thank you good foods from Mother Earth, out life sustainers, for making us happy when we are hungry.

Fruits and berries, we thank you for your color and sweetness. We are all thankfull to good medicine herbs, for healing us when we are sick.

Thank you, all the animals of the world, for keeping our precious forests clean.

All the trees in the world, we are thankfull for the shade and warmth you give us.

Thank you all the birds in the world for singing your beautiful songs for all to enjoy.

We give thanks to you gentle Four Winds, for bringing air for us to breathe from the four directions.

Thank you Grandfather Thunder Beings, for bringing rains to help all living things grow.

Elder Brotehr Sun, we send you thanks for sining your light and warming Mother Earth.

Thank you Grandmother Moon for growing full every month to light the darkness for the children and sparkling waters.

We give thanks, twinkling stars, for making the night sky so beautiful and for sprinkling morning dew drops on the plants.

Spirit Protectors of our past and present, we thank you for showing us ways to live in peace and harmony with one another.

And most of all, thank you Great Spirit, for giving us all these wonderful gifts, so we will be happy and healthy every day and every night.