Pinus strobus

For the Haudenosaunee, the white pine is a powerful cultural symbol called the “Great Tree of Peace.” This tree is a living metaphor for a way of living in which peace means seeking universal justice through empowering everyone in society to cultivate an unselfish and healthy mind. The word Sgen:nǫ means both peace and health because only a healthy person can seek peaceful solutions. Cultivating peace is an ongoing responsibility for each of us. 

The word for white pine in the language of the Gayogo̱ hó:nǫɁ (Cayuga Nation) is Onedagǫ:wah. Click here to listen to its pronunciation. The clusters of five needles represent the union of five nations of the Haudenosaunee (Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca). The tree symbolizes the strength the five nations gained from making peace with each other.

Explore more about the Tree of Peace in this online exhibit.