Over thousands of years, Indigenous Peoples developed knowledge and practices to live in balance with the living world. The act of expressing gratitude for the plants and animals that sustain them acknowledges their partnership with non-human species through conscious collaboration and respect.
In her book “Braiding Sweetgrass,” author and scientist Robin Kimmerer writes, “Cultures of gratitude must also be cultures of reciprocity….If an animal gives its life to feed me, I am in turn bound to support its life.”
The Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ, whose traditional homelands include Cornell Botanic Gardens and Cornell University, hold a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of all life. To express gratitude and align their hearts and minds with nature, they recite the Ganǫhǫ́nyǫhk (Words Before All Else) at gatherings to honor the interdependency of humans and all living things. These words directly give thanks to food plants, wild plants, medicinal plants, and trees.
Learn more about the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ’ and their culture by watching and listening to Steve Henhawk, a Cayuga speaker and historian, recite part of the “Words Before All Else” in the Cayuga language.
Through our mission, Cornell Botanic Gardens works to safeguard the rich diversity of plants worldwide and their associated cultural knowledge, wisdom, and languages. Many plants grown in our cultivated collections and natural areas hold deep relationships with the Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ.
Corn, along with beans and squash, are food plants that have sustained the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ’ for thousands of years and are considered true gifts of the Sky World, the origin of the Creator or Great Spirit. The Three Sisters mound system is a traditional practice of growing these three plants together, which improves the soil and boosts plant growth and nutritional benefits.
Tobacco is used to maintain a connection to the Sky World by conveying intentions and messages of the people. It is often used in ceremonies and offerings to express gratitude and seek guidance from the spirit world. Tobacco is considered a medicine that is used in specific ways to promote physical, spiritual, emotional, and community well-being.
Members of the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ’ community provided heritage seeds of tobacco, beans, and squash for planting in the Pounder Vegetable Garden for the past several seasons to support classes that teach Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ’ language and culture.
White pine, known as the Great Tree of Peace, is one of many trees that hold a deep relationship with the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ’. This tree figures prominently in historical events leading to the creation of the Great Law of Peace, which guides the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ’ and other Haudenosaunee nations to strive for unity and to reach consensus on important decisions. Underscoring the Great Law of Peace is the philosophy that cultivating healthy minds in individuals contributes to the health and vitality of the larger community, which is essential to peace.
White pines are found throughout our natural areas, within the F. R. Newman Arboretum, and areas around the Nevin Welcome Center.
As a reminder of our inseparable connection to nature and each other, you can purchase Words Before All Else from thetrackingproject.org, which is translated in English, Mohawk, and ten other languages.
Cornell Botanic Gardens is located on the traditional homelands of the Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ, who have a rich history of over ten thousand years living in and stewarding the lands of the Finger Lakes region. The region’s plants, animals, and waters are central to Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ identity, traditions, and cultural knowledge.