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Sigurd's avatar

Riane Eisler writes about two forms of power - domination and partnership. Much of this post talks about the latter, which speaks to engagement, and getting-to-know, and listening to all voices.

The structures of Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) culture are ones set in place by The Peacemaker, a figure I've seen mentioned from two historical times, the more recent also involving Hiawatha, and critically a less well known woman, Jinonhsaseh, who would provide food and a place to sleep to anyone, as long as they left their weapons outside. [her story is told various ways: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Peacemaker || https://www.onondaganation.org/history/ || https://powwowtimes.ca/the-great-law-of-peace-haudenosaunee-confederacy/ ].

The clan mothers were the ones who chose the male leaders, warned them if they were behaving improperly, and removed them if the did not heed their warnings.

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Dr. Wallace. Embody Evolution's avatar

Thank you both for reading and for sharing this history. I found it new to me and helpful. Perhaps I can aspire to a clan mother someday. :)

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Sigurd's avatar

I also listen to Kuuyux Ilarion Merculieff, who speaks to present-day needs saying that this is, as you say, a time for women to be leaders -- and, he says, a time for men to support women as leaders.

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Dr. Wallace. Embody Evolution's avatar

Yes. And time for men to support their own feminine leadership within.

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