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Garakontie
(c. 1654-1677):
Iroquois Peacemaker
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Garakontie arranged
many prisoner exchanges. Once when he was on his way to Montreal
to exchange more prisoners, he heard that more fighting had started
between the French and the Iroquois. His traveling companions wanted
to turn back, but he refused. He was on a mission of peace and would
not be stopped.
In 1673,
Garakontie and other Iroquois leaders met with Governor
Frontenac. Garakontie was such a good speaker that the Governor
was forced to listen. Governor Frontenac later said how impressed
he was with how well Garakontie's spoke, and his sense of justice.
Peace was
important to Garakontie, but he refused to give up his rights. He
wanted the land and the interests of the Iroquois to be respected.
He was able to have his people's rights respected and still have
peace. By making alliances with the French and English, Garakontie
ensured that his people would survive and become the most powerful
First
Nations people in the east of North America.
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What
do you think Garakontie's most important accomplishment was?
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