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Wise Leadership
Itanca
Itanca is the Lakota word for the responsibilities of a chief.
To the Haudensaunee, the Iroquois, candidates for leadership
were chosen by the women.
The chief was responsible for the life of the village, to protect,
guide and provide for the children and women, to be wise in
decision sought through council.
It was the women, as mothers and grandmothers who watched
the boys to see which one showed the qualities of wisdom,
gentleness, courage, judgment, respect for the Ways, for the
life of the Earth.
They chose a true warrior from among the men. A warrior heart,
that instinctively knew that one's struggle is never with the outside
world, but within his own heart.
A wise leader was responsible for all the people of the village.
Everyone must be provided for. No one's survival must be
threatened, alone, to fend for themselves. He was a father, who
would sacrifice himself before the needs of the people.
The chief would listen to the Elders and warriors in council,
and would listen to the women afterward, the true power behind
the life of the community. The 'whispers' were listening.
The babies didn't go hungry. The elderly were respected,
and honored with the best meat of the hunt. The children were
respected as Gifts to the parents and village, there to teach as
much as to learn. And women were recognized as the lifegivers,
whose nature was due the same reverence as that of Mother Earth.
The chief was to ensure the balance, harmony and peace of
the village, where life would grow. He lead by persuasion, not by
edict, for everyone was free.
He needed to be many things, but without a foundation in the
strength of peace within himself, he would not have the connection
to wisdom that he needed through Spirit, Earth, and Creator to
govern wisely. He would be proven, to put the lives of everyone
before himself.
Wise leaders did not begin with their own self-interest. That was
a sure sign of failure.
Self-interest lead to conflict and war.
A chief must first recognize the Power that is Peace.
... with all the life of Creation.
Offering Leadership in Peace for Our Future
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