Basic Call to Consciousness is a collection of essays in which leaders of the Six Nations Iroquois discuss the importance of honouring the sacred Web of Life and describe the spiritual roots of their traditional government and cultural traditions. This 120-page book posits a compelling critique of Western culture and an eloquent text on the rights of Indigenous nations. Presented here are three position papers delivered to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland in 1977. New contributions by John Mohawk, Chief Oren Lyons, and Jose Barreiro provide an overview on the struggle for self-determination before and since the Geneva meetings. An important inclusion in this volume is the chapter about Deskaheh (Levi General) that includes his Last Speech. Sotsisowah, John Mohawk, a scholar, authored the position papers presented at the UN and wrote the foreword in this edition. Jose Barrerio, who wrote the afterword in this edition, was a long time editor at Akwesasne Notes. Oren Lyons is a traditional Faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan, a member of the Nation Council of Chiefs of the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy. Highly recommended.
