On July 14, 1923, the Hereditary Chief of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, Deskaheh Levi General (Cayuga), traveled to Geneva, Switzerland, to speak before the League of Nations. He sought to obtain international recognition of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (historically known as the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy, composed of the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora Nations) as a sovereign Indigenous Nation governed by a hereditary council of chiefs.
This year marks the 100th Anniversary of Deskaheh's campaign to the League of Nations. Cultural Survival recently spoke to veteran Indigenous rights activist Kenneth Deer to unpack the important actions of Deskaheh, 100 years ago.
Produced by Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan)
Interviewee: Kenneth Deer (Mohawk)
"Lights in the Forest" by Ziibiwan is used with permission.
"Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission