On May 26, 2025, a powerful letter was sent to His Highness King Charles of Britain by Kahentinetha Horn, an 86-year-old Kanienkehaka (Mohawk) Bear Clan elder and long-standing advocate for Indigenous sovereignty and the Kaianerekowa, the Great Law of Peace. In her message, Kahentinetha boldly reaffirmed the authority of the original peoples of Turtle Island and called on the Crown to honor its legal and moral obligations to Indigenous Nations.
Honoring the Great Peace and the Two Row Wampum
At the heart of the letter is a call to restore the principles enshrined in foundational agreements, including the Royal Proclamation of 1763, the Kaianerekowa (Great Law of Peace), and the Teioháteh (Two Row Wampum)—treaties that recognize the sovereignty of Indigenous Nations and define their relationship with colonial powers as one of mutual respect and non-interference.
Horn challenges the legitimacy of Canada’s colonial government and the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), stating that neither represents the true traditional landowners or the spirit of the treaties. She affirms that Indigenous Peoples are not subjects of Britain or Canada but sovereign nations with their own laws, territories, and governance.
The Corporate Fiction of Canada
Describing Canada as a “corporation” operating without consultation from Indigenous landowners, Kahentinetha accuses the government of running the country as a business—comparable to “Canadian Tire.” She asserts that treaties between sovereign nations cannot be unilaterally altered or ignored, and when violated, all rights and lands must revert to their original state prior to agreement.
Her letter exposes the theft of land, resources, and culture, and calls on the British monarchy to acknowledge these truths. She appeals to King Charles to support the exposure of historic injustices and facilitate accountability for the genocide and dispossession of Indigenous peoples—a request backed by her promise to provide documentary evidence.
A Call for Justice and Truth
In a poignant close, Kahentinetha invokes the message of peace through the words of The Beatles’ Let It Be, aligning its spirit with the enduring hope of her people for healing and justice:
“We are proud of ourselves for being shameless for being alive… We ask you, King Charles, to help us make things right and light up that path of total truth.”
This message reflects the continued resistance, wisdom, and resilience of Indigenous elders and communities, echoing the core values of the Ierahkwa Ne Kanienke Government—sovereignty, unity, and peace.
Authored by:
Kahentinetha Horn
Bear Clan, Kahnawake Mohawk Territory
Mohawk Nation News | MohawkMothers.ca
