Henry is six feet tall but his height belies his weighty presence. A man rooted firmly in his Haudenosaunee culture, he holds the great gift of connecting cultures.
I first met Henry in 2018, in the early days of the Great River Rapport project. Originally from South Africa, I was a newcomer to the region and though my experience in aquatic ecology and ecosystem indicators prepared me to take the lead on this health report, my local knowledge was insignificant. Henry, a Haudenosaunee citizen of the Seneca Nation, Turtle Clan, took the lead to jump-start my education in Indigenous teachings.
AT 73, HENRY HAS THE GIFT OF TIME, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE TO SHARE.
Early talks with him expanded my knowledge base as he spoke passionately about the Great Law of Peace (the oral law of the Iroquois Confederacy), the principle of seven generations (the philosophy that the decisions we make today should result in a sustainable world seven generations into the future), and the broader environmental philosophies of his people. As time went on, he also shared tales of time spent in New Zealand doing his graduate studies and experiences of his more than three decades of work with the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, first as a Director and then as the Environmental Science Officer. Currently a Cornwall resident, Henry is a Commissioner with the International Joint Commission, the first Indigenous person to hold such a position since the organization’s inception in 1909. In every role he has held, Henry has dedicated himself to helping others incorporate First Nation’s people and their knowledge into environmental planning and decision making.
Without Henry to guide the team at the River Institute, the Great River Rapport would not be as inclusive and comprehensive as it is. At his direction, the project has been wrapped around a framework of Ohenton Karihwetehkwen, the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address. These greetings reflect a deep relationship of giving thanks for life and the natural world around us. It is this Indigenous perspective that brings deeper meaning and understanding to this health report.
While growing up on the Six Nation Indian Reserve near Brantford, Ontario, Henry’s mother set out a credo to those around her, including her young son: “Dare to be great.” Without a doubt, Henry is living up to the test.
This story is one of a 10-part series that shares the stories of remarkable community members who came together to share their knowledge and contribute to the Great River Rapport.
The Great River Rapport—a project initiated by the River Institute—aims to answer the question “How healthy is the Upper St Lawrence River?” Framed in the themes of the Haundenosaunee Thanksgiving Address, this unique project compiles scientific data, ecological indicators, and the lived experiences of community members. The final project will be fully launched in the Fall of 2021.
Visit the River Rapport website and read the stories of those who have contributed to this ecosystem health report:
