Condolence Ceremonies, Council Meetings, and Conflict Resolution

The Haudenosaunee Great Law of Peace is a peace treaty, a constitutional agreement, an expression of reconciliation, and a model for distinct nations to live in peace and cooperation. Under the Great Law, the Haudenosaunee utilize Condolence ceremonies and council meetings to resolve conflicts at the individual, societal, and international levels. This chapter explores the use of Condolence ceremonies and council meetings in interactions with the British Crown and Canadian state. First, the form and function of Condolence Ceremonies and council meetings are outlined. Second, the centrality of Condolence Ceremonies and council meetings to the the Silver Covenant Chain relationship between the British Crown and the Haudenosaunee is established. Finally, through an examination of the R. c. Montour (2023) decision, the force of the Silver Covenant Chain relationship in contemporary Canadian Common law is contextualized before reflecting on the wider implications of the decision to Canadian lawyers.