10/12/2026
“Turtle, Eagle, and the Tree of Peace,” antler carving on a serpentine base by Cayuga artist, Wayne Sky.
The Iroquois Nation, also known as “The Great League of Peace,” was originally made up of five tribes in the region we now call upstate New York. Created before European settlers moved in, the five tribes that had spent years fighting each other decided to put down their weapons and make an agreement to live peacefully with each other, creating the Iroquois Nation. The Tree of Peace is a symbol of that agreement and the peace that came after.
With the Eagle representing the connection between the earth and the heavens and a protector of the tree of peace, as well as the turtle representing Turtle Island/North America and the source of all life, Wayne Sky put the three together to create this incredible sculpture that truly celebrates the history and stories of his people. Find this and more on our website!
On Indigenous Peoples Day, we celebrate the original inhabitants of our continent, and the rich history of those cultures and people that came before European settlement on their land. We encourage you to use today as an opportunity to learn more about the Indigenous populations of our continent and to take the opportunity to support artists, educators, and historians that work to keep these cultures alive today.
