Ohèn:ton Karihwatéhkwen

Ohèn:ton Karihwatéhkwen is used to bring the minds of all the people together as one before any gatherings. It is used as a reminder of our place in creation, and to be thankful daily for the things around us. People may not agree with each other, but we can all agree on the balance of creation and the continuation of sustainable existence.

Our original instructions reminded us to be thankful, and it also embedded in the Kayanere'kowa (Great Law of Peace). The following video is in Kanyen'kehà:ka (Mohawk Language), and the text is written below and translated to English for those looking to follow along and learn.

Kentsyóhkwa sewatahonsí:yohst kén’ nikarihwéhsha. Ne kati tentshitewanonhwera:ton ne Shonkwaya’tishon ne wahi rohsa’anyon tsi naho:ten teyo’tawenrye ne kentho tsi ohwentsya:te.

Everyone (the group) listen well for a short time. I will give thanks to the Creator for the things that go about on the earth.

Akwé:kon énhska entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon teyethinonhwera:tons ne onkwe’shon:’a. Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.

We will make our minds one and give thanks to the people. Now our minds are one.

Akwé:kon énhska entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon teyethinonhwera:tons ne yethinihstenha tsi ohwentsya:te. Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.

We will make our minds one and give thanks to our mother the earth. Now our minds are one

Akwé:kon énhska’t entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon teyethinonhwera:tons ne ohneka’shon:’a. Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.

We will make our minds one and give thanks to the waters. Now our minds are one.

Akwé:kon énhska’t entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon teyethinonhwera:tons ne kentsyon’kshon:’a. Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.

We will make our minds one and give thanks to the fish. Now our minds are one.

Akwé:kon énhska’t entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon teyethinonhwera:tons ne ohtera’shon:’a. Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.

We will make our minds one and give thanks for the roots. Now our minds are one.

Akwé:kon énhska’t entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon teyethinonhwera:tons ne ohente’shon:’a. Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.

We will make our minds one and give thanks for the grasses. Now our minds are one.

Akwé:kon énhska’t entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon teyethinonhwera:tons ne ononhkwa’shon:’a. Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.

We will make our minds one and give thanks to the medicines. Now our minds are one.

Akwé:kon énhska’t entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon teyethinonhwera:tons ne otsinonwa’shon:’a. Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.

We will make our minds one and give thanks to the bugs. Now our minds are one.

Akwé:kon énhska’t entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon teyethinonhwera:tons ne tyonnhehkwen. Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.

We will make our minds one and give thanks to the sustenance foods. Now our minds are one.

Akwé:kon énhska’t entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon teyethinonhwera:tons ne kahi’kshon:’a. Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.

We will make our minds one and give thanks for the fruit. Now our minds are one.

Akwé:kon énhska’t entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon teyethinonhwera:tons ne kontirio. Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.

We will make our minds one and give thanks for the animals. Now our minds are one.

Akwé:kon énhska’t entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon teyethinonhwera:tons ne karonta’shon:’a. Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.

We will make our minds one and give thanks for the trees. Now our minds are one.

Akwé:kon énhska’t entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon teyethinonhwera:tons ne otsi’ten’okon:’a. Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikonhra.

We will make our minds one and give thanks for the birds. Now our minds are one.

Akwé:kon énhska’t entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon teyethinonhwera:tons ne kaye:ri nikawera:ke. Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.

We will make our minds one and give thanks for the four winds. Now our minds are one.

Akwé:kon énhska’t entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon tetshitewanonhera:tons ne etshitewa’tsi:’a entyekhenhnekha karahkwa. Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.

We will make our minds one and give thanks for our elder brother the sun. Now our minds are one.

Akwé:kon énhska’t entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon teyethinonhwera:tons ne yethihsotha ahsonthennekha karahkwa. Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.

We will make our minds one and give thanks for our grandmother moon. Now our minds are one.

Akwé:kon énhska’t entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon teyethinonhwera:tons ne ostistohkaronnyon. Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.

We will make our minds one and give thanks for the stars. Now our minds are one.

Akwé:kon énhska’t entitewawenon:ni ne onkwa’nikonhra táhnon tetshitewanonhwera:tons ne Shonkwaya’tishon. Etho niyohtónha’k ne onkwa’nikón:ra.

We will make our minds one and give thanks to our Creator for the good things we will continue to think peacefully about.

O:nen tho niyore wa’katerihwatkwé:ni, tokat othe:nen shonke’nikónhrhen, i:se ki’ ne’e aesewatashón:teron. É:tho’k nikawén:nake.

Now I have done all I can do, if there is anything I have forgotten, it’s up to you to fix it.

That is all.

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