Irving in Erie County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Hodinöhso:ni'
People of the Longhouse
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 14, 2026
1. Hodinöhso:ni' Marker
A thousand years ago the Hodinöhso:ni' were living in tremendous disorder when a messenger, known as the Peace Maker, delivered a message of peace, equality, and justice. He exhibited his message by holding up one arrow which he easily broke in two. Then, holding up five arrows he demonstrated that the five arrows together could not be broken. This message served to establish the Five Nations Confederacy under the Great Law of Peace. This law helped to provide civil order for the Senecas (Keepers of the Western Door), Cayugas (Keepers of the Great Pipe), Onondaga (Keepers of the Council Fire), Oneidas (People of the Standing Stone), and the Mohawks (Keepers of the Eastern Door). Around 1720, the Tuscaroras (Hemp Gatherers), formally joined the Confederacy which became known as the Six Nations Confederacy.
At that time a council of fifty chiefs was established representing the clans and Nations of the Five Nations. Each chief was instructed in the ways of the Great Law of Peace. Wampum, made from the quahog clam shell, was used to record the agreements, alliances, and to verify the oral traditions of the Confederacy.
Today
this page online
Iroquois Confederacy
Erected by Seneca Nation of Indians.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 1720.
Location. 42° 34.215′ N, 79° 6.073′ W. Marker is in Irving, New York, in Erie County. It is at the intersection of Erie Road (New York State Route 5) and U.S. 20, on the right when traveling north on Erie Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Irving NY 14081, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York, specifically in Western New York, and in the Buffalo Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, on the Great Lakes, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois)
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 14, 2026
2. Hodinöhso:ni' Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Onöndowa'ga:' - People of the Great Hill (here, next to this marker); Oda'ä:de'- Sky Dome (a few steps from this marker); gëöya'geo:nö' yagö:gweh - Skywoman (a few steps from this marker); Everett R. Burmaster (approx. 0.6 miles away); Amos Sottle (approx. 0.6 miles away); American Revolution (approx. 1½ miles away); Farnham Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.7 miles away); Cash Cemetery (approx. 3½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Irving.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 15, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
