NATIVE (INDIAN) PROPHECIES 

Interpretation of Deganawidah’s Prophecies, the Iroquois Prophet, of the Three Serpents

By White Wolf (Phil Shapley)

1) Introduction to Deganawidah

The Deganawidah prophecy was passed down orally for hundreds of years by the Iroquois.  Many non-Natives will dismiss the present oral presentation of the prophecy— they will say too many distortions can creep in over time.  But I am inclined to accept the version of it given by Mad Bear for two reasons:

1) the Iroquois work hard to quote things exactly, memorizing the exact prophecy.  This can greatly reduce distortions creeping in.

2) I have had strong impressions of the Spirit that it is close to what was originally given.  Thus, I treat the present day version of Deganawidah’s prophecy seriously.

Deganawidah needs to be taken seriously.  He was a great teacher to the Iroquois nations sometime in the period 1400 to 1600.  He performed miracles and gave the Great Law.  This Law:

     1) brought peace and good government to the five warring Iroquois   nations.

2) it teaches a high standard of how people should live their lives, how they should approach and settle disputes, the qualities required in leaders.

3) it influenced principles imbedded in the U. S. Constitution—Benjamin Franklin and George Washington were impressed by the Law.

4) it recognized the right of individuals to make their own choices.

Some Iroquois belief that Deganawidah was Jesus Christ.  Christ did appear to the Iroquois at the Bay of Quinte in Ontario.  He showed the wound marks in His hands and feet, and He said in effect, ‘my brethren across the seal rejected me, I have come to you my Lost Tribe!’  Deganawidah’s prophecy was given at the Bay of Quinte.

The three prophecies which are on this website, are the Isaiah, Deganawidah and Latter Day Saint (LDS) prophecies.  The prophecies may appear to be somewhat contradictory with each other.  This may be because:  1) one prophecy includes events or phenomena while the other doesn’t, but this does not mean one is incorrect; 2) there may be inconsistencies because we are not working from the original text; and 3) we have not correctly interrupted the symbolism. 

As stated in the comments on Isaiah’s prophecy, if an interpretation is basically correct, prayer should give you a good feeling about it or you will just know that it is basically correct.

2) Introduction to the Deganawidah Prophecy

Three serpents are prominent in Deganawidah’s prophecy.  One might be inclined to interrupt each as representing a group of people and the apparent events as physical happenings.  But in doing such, serious mistakes would be made—the serpents are more than a group of people and the apparent physical events that may or may not happen.

Rather the serpents represent ideologies/mental states/philosophies/beliefs.  The implied physical events, in some cases happen, but in other cases, they don’t but represent a spiritual clash and/or outcome.  Thus interrupting Deganawidah is a challenge.  But with prayer and the help of the Spirit, White Wolf now works to unravel the prophecy.

The prophecy can be split into three time periods—the past, the present and near future, and the future.

3) The part of the prophecy that has already happened—the past

3a) The Prophecy

When Deganawidah was leaving the Indians in the Bay of Quinte in Ontario, he told the Indian people that they would face a time of great suffering.  They would distrust their leaders and the principles of peace of the League, and a great white serpent was to come upon the Iroquois, and that for a time it would intermingle with the Indian  people and would be accepted by the Indians, who would treat the serpent as a frientd.  This serpent would in time become so powerful that it would attempt to destroy the Indian, and the serpent is described as choking the life’s blood out of the Indian people.   Deganawidah told the Indians that they would be in such a terrible state at this point that all hope would seem to be lost, and he told them that when things looked darkest a red serpent would come from the north and approach the white serpent, which would be terrified, and upon seeing the red serpent he would release the Indian, who would fall to the ground almost like a helpless a child, and the white serpent would turn his attention to the red serpent.  The bewilderment would cause the white serpent to accept the red serpent momentarily.  The white serpent would be stunned and take part of the red serpent and accept him. 

3b) Interpretation

First, let’s define what the white and red serpent represent.  The white serpent sometimes and at the more shallow level, represents the white, European settlers that came to America.  At the deeper and more important level, it represents the past ideologies that dominated America—the Christian values that came with the settlers and so called free enterprise which is essentially a free market system.  This belief system proclaimed that there was a God, and His Son, Jesus Christ, and that each individual was free to make his/her own choices, and thus was responsible for himself, for his own success or failure. It was the responsibility of more fortunate people to help the less fortunate.  Government should have only those powers necessary to insure individual freedom, law and order, and the functioning of enterprise. This system makes it possible for an individual to choose whether or not he will serve God, and what he will accept.  This is basically a good belief system and set of ideas and is approved by the Creator, and thus, can be represented by the colour white.  The white serpent also represents unfortunate beliefs that developed—no respect for the Indian people (they were heathens, not Christians) and the idea that if you want it, you can grab it from the Indian.  The Lakota people called the white settlers Wasichu—the grabbers.

The red serpent at the more shallow level and sometimes, represents Russia.  Initially, at the deeper level, it is state socialism—the state is to direct the individual and an individual’s life is to be devoted to serving the state for the state can discern and organize what is best for the individual.   There is seldom an allowance for a God.

The white serpent comes to America and mostly has no respect for what is perceived to be the non-Christian Indian.  The white settlers want land and see nothing wrong in grabbing Indian land, suppressing Indians, and for convenience, annihilating many.  The Indian spiritual beliefs were often thought evil and there was a major effort to convert them to Christianity, but not the true deeper Christianity.  Forceful means were often used.

The Indians initially accepted the settlers but as the settlers became numerous and powerful, they destroyed the Indian.  The Iroquois about the time of the American Revolution, rejected their own leaders and living The Great Law given by Degnawidah.

When matters look very dark for the Natives, the Communist State of Russia rises and causes America to mostly forget the Indian and turn its’ attention to the red serpent.  But America borrows some ideas from the red serpent—government has some responsibility to look after disadvantaged people and to interfere when the free market economic system mis-functions, such as in the great depression.  Thus, America got the Roosevelt New Deal, social security, unemployment insurance, projects to create employment, etc. which if kept within bounds, are not bad. 

History shows that this first part of Deganawidah’s prophecy is correct.

4) The present and near future

4a) The Prophecy

The white serpent is stunned and takes part of the red serpent and accepts him.  Then there is a heated argument and a fight (between the white and red serpents).  And then the Indian revives and crawls toward the land of the hilly country, and then he would assemble his people together, and they would renew their faith and the principles of peace that Deganawidah has established.  There would at the same time exist among the Indians a great love and forgiveness for his bother, and in this gathering would come streams from all over—not only the Iroquois but from all over—and they would gather in this hilly country, and they would renew their friendship.  Deganawidah said they would remain neutral to the fight between the white serpent and the red serpent.

At the time they were watching the two serpents locked in this battle, a great message would come to them, which would make them ever so humble, and when they become that humble, they will be waiting for a young leader, an Indian boy, possibly in his teens, who would be a choice seer.  Nobody knows who he is or where he comes from, but he will be given great power, and would be heard by thousands, and he would give them the guidance and the hope to refrain from going  back to their land and he would be the accepted leader.  And Deganawidah said that they will gather in the land of the hilly country, beneath the branches of an elm tree, and they should burn tobacco and call upon Deganawidah by name when we are facing our darkest hours, and he will return.  Deganawidah said that as the choice seer speaks to the Indians that number as the blades of grass and he would be heard by all at the same time.

4b) Interpretation

The struggle between the red and white serpents, has two parts in this time period:
 

       1) the conflict between Russia and the U.S.;

       2) the ideological conflict between: 

(a) the red serpent which now represents people who mostly deny God, including many who ‘worship’ science, who look only to science, government, technology, false spirituality, etc. for the solution of problems instead of looking to their Creator, many have a humane perspective (these people are often called liberals in the U.S.), most have little tolerance for a God centred approach, many fight against Christian moral values.  Materialism, sexual permissiveness and perversion are rampant.  It is commented that applying science, technology and humane values is not wrong when they don’t replace the greater divine perspective;

(b) the white serpent is now represented by those who are a combination of the Christian right, those that believe individuals should be accountable for themselves and those that believe in moral living.  There are some red neck radicals in the white serpent group.  Big corporations seeking their own ends and often denying government responsibility for disadvantaged people and the environment, try to politically exploit the white serpent.

Of course, there are people who overlap both goups.  Environmentalists can belong to either the white or red serpent.  The struggles are ongoing.

While this fight between the two serpents is proceeding, the Indians are somewhat forgotten and are freer to act.  The Indians intensify their spiritual search and ignore the battle between the two serpents.  Old inter-tribal conflicts lessen.  Many Natives start gathering to The Great Basin area of the U.S. West.  They forgive their white brother (non-Native Americans and Canadians).

A great message comes which is that the Indian people are a chosen people of the Creator, their burden is being lifted and that their future is bright.  This makes them very humble.  They look forward to a great young leader who comes.  He encourages them to stay in the hilly country.

This young seer (Little White Buffalo) helps this people practice their traditional teachings, get close to their Creator and prepares them to gain additional spiritual knowledge.  He possess many spiritual gifts.  Deganawidah returns in the sense that His beautiful spirit and love is felt by all.  The number of Indians in the hilly country steadily increases—thousands upon thousands.

5) The future

5a) Opening comment

The interpretation of the prophecy of the future is a particularly difficult challenge—there is much symbolism!  First, do not assume the black serpent represents the black people.  It represents some things quite different and deeper as will be explained.  To understand the symbolism, you must look at it as the Indian people understand it.  Not all apparent symbols have important meaning.  For instance, when the red serpent moves north after seeing the light, the author is not aware of any important meaning to going north.

The interpretation has taken prayer, meditation and I feel there has been inspiration to help me.  You will need to judge for yourself whether the author has got it right.  I suggest that you use prayer.

Now on to the prophecy.

5b) The prophesy

Deganawidah said that as the choice seer speaks to the Indians, that number as the blades of grass and he would be heard by all at the same time, and as the Indians are gathered watching the fight, they notice from the south a black serpent coming from the sea, and he is described as dripping with salt water, and as he stands there, he rests for a spell to get his breath, all the time watching to the north to the land where the white serpent and the red serpent are fighting.  Deganawidah said that the battle between the white and the red serpent opened real slow but would then become so violent that the mountains would crack and rivers would boil and fish would turn up on their bellies.  He said that there would be no leaves on the tress in that area.  There would be no grass, and that strange bugs and beetles would crawl from the ground and attack both serpents, and he said that a great heat would cause the stench of death to sicken both serpents.  And then, as the boy seer is watching this fight, the red serpent reaches around the back of the white serpent and pulls from him a hair which is carried toward the south by a great wind into the waiting hands of the black serpent, and as the black serpent studies this hair, it suddenly turns into a woman, a white woman who tells him things that he knows to be true but he wants to hear them again.  When this white woman finishes telling these things, he takes her and gently places her on a rock with great love and respect, and then he becomes infuriated at what he has heard, so he makes a beeline for the north, and he enters the battle between the red and white serpents with such speed and anger that he defeats the two serpents, who have already been battle-weary.

When he finishes, he stands on the chest of the white serpent, and he boasts and puts his chest out like he’s the conqueror, and he looks for another serpent to conquer.  He looks to the land of the hilly country and then he sees the Indian standing with his arms folded and looking ever so nobly so that he knows that this Indian is not the one that we should fight.  The next direction that he will face will be eastward and at that time he will be momentarily blinded by a light that is many times brighter than the sun.  The light will be coming from the east to the west over the water, and when the black serpent regains his sight, he becomes terrified and makes a beeline for the sea.  He dips into the sea and swims away in a southerly direction, and shall never again be seen by the Indians.  The white serpent revives, and he, too, sees this light, and he makes a feeble attempt to gather himself and go toward that light.  A portion of the white serpent refuses to remain but instead makes its way toward the land of the hilly country, and there he will join the Indian People with a great love like that of a lost brother.  The rest of the white serpent would go to the sea and dip into the sea and would be lost out of sight for a spell.  Then suddenly the white serpent would appear again on the top of the water and he would be slowly swimming toward the light.  Deganawidah said that the white serpent would never again be a troublesome spot for the Indian people.  The red serpent would revive and he would shiver with great fear when he sees that light.  He would crawl to the north and leave a bloody shaky trail northward, and he would never be seen again by the Indians. 

Deganawidah said as this light approaches that he would be that light, and he would return to his Indian people, and when he returns, the Indian people would be a greater nation than they ever were before.

5c) Interpretation

First, lets understand what the red and white serpents stand for in the future.  The white serpent in the future includes people who believe in God or a Creator, in living the commandments and in individual freedom and responsibility.  They get deeply involved in moral issues such as abortion and pre-martial sex, and feel that the problems of the U.S. are largely due to the failure to live God’s way.  There continue to be red necks in this group.  There are also people who are mainly moralists.  The white serpent people are mostly for ‘free’ enterprise but do not object to ‘needed’ government actions to preserve order and justice, and to solve important problems where this requires government action.  But these people, mostly, do not understand and adequately live what God wants.  The influence of the big corporations has been reduced.

The red serpent represents people who deny God and/or are mad at Him for all the problems.  This group includes many types of individuals from limited perspective intellectuals to those who want to rely on science and technology, people into humanism, people into false spirituality, people who want no moral restrictions on belief and what we do, and down to those who have no stable beliefs and identity, and the lawless.

There are so many differing beliefs and disagreements that government and the social structure crumbles.  There is anarchy and chaos. The white serpent people blame the red serpent people for generating all the problems—society is so corrupt that it cannot have help from God.  But the white serpent people as a whole, do not understand or seek the fundamental teachings of God (the Creator) and because of this and the failure to diligently live the teachings that they do have, they don’t live or understand The Way of Happiness.  They could have great blessings from the Creator if they were humble and willing to seek and change their old ways for better ways.  Thus, they do not get God’s help. 

Because of all this conflict, the two serpents turn to violence.  The drought, dead fish, leafless trees, etc. are partly due to the collapse of pollution control, carbon emissions and the conflict.  But these ecological disasters largely come from the Creator.   He is generating hardships to encourage people to wake up and to seek and turn to the true ways of their Creator.

The black serpent does not represent the black people.  To the Indian, black represents the colour of the west which is the direction we go in at death, where the sun sets.  Thus, black represents death.  The black serpent comes from the south—the direction that represents self and self awareness, and thus, can represent a person absorbed in his own importance.  Black also is the colour of evil. The black serpent is a proud being, seeking power (and thus denial of individual rights), and is concerned with his importance.  This understanding is supported by him being enraged by what the white woman tells him of the white serpent, boasting after he defeats the white serpent, and seeking another serpent to slay.  Because he denies personal freedom, following the black serpent leads to spiritual death, and the suppression that he imposes, prevents people  from practicing any religious beliefs.

Look upon the black serpent as a being, a power allowed by the Creator to inflict the red and white serpents to encourage them to humble themselves before their Creator and learn the true, deep way of happiness.  The black serpent comes from the sea representing that he comes from an overseas country.  He quickly defeats the red and white serpents.  The black serpent now looks for another people to conquer.  The Indian has now drawn close enough to his Creator that the black serpent knows that the Indian has protection from the Creator.  The black serpent is afraid to attack.

The black serpent now sees a light coming from the east, the direction the Creator will return from.  Probably this is not yet the return of the Creator but a servant representing the Creator.  Because he is evil, the black serpent is terrorized and departs speedily.

The white serpent people have suffered so much hardship that they are now humble and are willing to accept what the Creator wants to teach.  When the white serpent recovers enough to see the light from the east, it splits in two.  Part of the white serpent goes toward the Indians gathered who are now spiritually strong and wise.  These people have a great love for the Indian.

The other part of the white serpent moves east in the sea toward the light, undoubtedly now willing to learn the ways of the Creator.  Perhaps it includes the Jewish people going to Israel.

The red serpent having previously rejected the idea of God or having no desire to honour a Creator which he is not able to understand because of his closed mindedness, is afraid and scurries north (to Canada?) with many causalities being realized.  North is the direction of wisdom-- perhaps red serpent people are now acquiring some wisdom.  These causalities may represent former red serpent persons turning to God.

When the light comes from the east, it is likely the rod or root of Jesse (see Isaiah, Chapter 11).  The light the Indian people see could also be the arrival of White Buffalo.  Regardless, the Native people will become greater than ever before, and will build a great nation.

The prophecy ends at this point.  The events after this point are dealt with by Isaiah and LDS prophecy. 

People from the country of the defeated black serpent, probably Russia, are now rid of the tyrant.  This country contains many of the Lost Tribes of Israel.  The Tribes are now free to practice their spiritual beliefs.  The God oriented people of both Russia(?) and the U.S. flourish and interact.

After we next review LDS prophecies, particularly those relating to the Indian people, we look at integrating the prophecies of Isaiah, Deganawidah and the LDS prophecies.