Handsome Lake Preaching at the Longhouse
Watercolor
From the Collection of the Rochester Museum and Science Center
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Handsome Lake Preaching at the Longhouse Watercolor From the Collection of the Rochester Museum and Science Center |
About 1800, the Seneca sachem Gan-ie-o-di-yo, better known as Handsome Lake, had a series of visions, where he was visited by messengers from the Creator. He relayed these visions to his people and became known as “The Prophet.” His message to the Senecas was one of peace and holding onto traditional cultural elements, while adapting to the changing forces of the world around them. In 1810, he moved from the Allegany Reservation to Tonawanda. His visions became Gaii-whi-o, “The Good Message,” and is a major part of what is referred to today as the Longhouse religion.
Handsome Lake died in 1815 while on a pastoral visit to the Onondaga Reservation near Syracuse.
In the 1820s, more Seneca land was sold, primarily the smaller reservations
along the Genesee River. A portion of the Tonawanda Reservation was sold, reducing
it to 12,800 acres.
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