Original Peoples podcast brings a new generation up to speed on Haudenosaunee teachings

It used to be that a Longhouse was the only place where you could hear traditional Haudenosaunee teachings but now they're becoming more accessible to engage a younger generation.

Ansley Jemison, who is wolf clan from the Seneca nation, is the host of Original Peoples podcast, which will celebrate its second anniversary this month. He is embracing the once controversial concept of putting sacred teachings in the digital space.

"We wanted to be able to create a space [where] there was access to this information," Jemison said. 

"A lot of the stuff that we're sharing, you know, we're being respectful and mindful of the sacred aspect of the ceremonial life." 

Jemison works at Ganondagan, a state historic site of a 17th century Seneca village in Victor, N.Y., near Rochester.

He heard the traditional teachings of the Haudenosaunee growing up because his father was a Faithkeeper in the Longhouse — something he acknowledges he was fortunate to have access to.

Jemison said policies like boarding schools in the U.S., which discouraged traditional ways and were run with mandates similar to residential schools in Canada, prevented many from accessing the knowledge he's learned.

He said his podcast is part entertainment, but also part storytelling.

"It's still kind of upholding that oral tradition of sharing, passing knowledge on and talking," he said.

Jemison said he's received positive feedback about the podcast.

His most popular episodes offer what he calls a deep dive into the Code of Handsome Lake. Handsome Lake is often referred to as a Seneca religious leader, but that's controversial in the Haudenosaunee community because many believe Handsome Lake's teachings were rooted in Quakerism. 

In the late 1700s, Handsome Lake saw the displacement of his people, theft of land and wars with colonists, disease and alcohol abuse. This prompted his message for the people, called the Gaiwiio or "good word," which combined Christian ideology with traditional Haudenosaunee teachings.

Handsome Lake's message is still preached in Haudenosaunee communities today at Midwinter ceremonies in the Longhouse.

Jemison said he wanted to learn more about who Handsome Lake was as a person rather than the mythical being he thought of him as, growing up.