On November 4th, 1924, Deskaheh presented an official proclamation explaining the sovereignty and independence of the Haudenosaunee people to the League of Nations. This sovereignty is recognized and affirmed in many foundational Treaties with the newer Turtle Island nations.

The Haudenosaunee formed the original North American League of Nations when the Great Law bound the Six Nations people together. They declared war with the Allies in the Great War, bled and died on the same battlefields from 1914-1918. The League of Nations rejected the petition.

Upon his return from Europe Deskaheh Levi General stopped in Rochester to make addresses explaining the contributions of the Haudenosaunee to the formation and welfare of the newer nations on Turtle Island. He fell ill, and the Western doctors couldn't find a treatment for him.

Levi General went to the farm of his good friend and freedom fighter Clinton Rickard. They summoned traditional medicine people who were able to revive Deskaheh and return his health. They were coming from Six Nations to Tuscarora but the border police started to restrict them.

"The government of Canada sent the Royal Mounted Canadian Mounted Police over to the US and into the Tuscarora Reservation," said Clinton Rickard.

It was a threatening act of intimidation against a people of peace who wished no harm on the Canadian government.

Clinton Rickard believed that the threat of resisting assimilation warranted these acts of aggression from the Canadian government. At the same time this was happening the US was creating an immigration act that would restrict the free border passage of Indigenous people.

A letter came for Levi General as he ate with his friend Rickard on his farm. He dropped the letter on his plate: " My medicine man can't come over any more. What will I do? I am done!"

Levi General stopped getting his treatment and his condition worsened until on the evening of June 27th, 1925 at only 52 years of age he passed away.

Levi General's final words to Clinton Rickard were:
"Fight for the Line."

He asked Clinton Rickard to help secure the permanent free passage for Indigenous people across the border.

For the rest of the year and into 1926 the border indignities were increasing. Indigenous people were denied visits to family, loved ones, and their fellow people. The reasons given were scant and arbitrary. Rickard and others pushed back against this denial with some success.

On December 1st, 1926, the Six Nations Defense League was formed. It would shortly broaden into the Indian Defense League. It was formed to join the efforts of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people who would align to aid the Indigenous resistance.

"I believe that justice should prevail, regardless of creed or color. While the people are seeking for everlasting peace in the world, let us help solve the great problem by giving all races their rights and by honorably preserving the agreements made by all nations." - Rickard

In July of 1928 the first Bordercrossing and Celebration was held crossing from Canada to the United States. This event has happened on the third Saturday every year for 92 years.

The IDLA is determined to "Fight for the Line" but this year presents a special challenge.

Will the border officials cooperate? Will people be willing to cross? Will the legacy of Clinton Rickard and Levi General and their combined fight for the rights of Indigenous people continue?

We'll ask Jiggy Hill's daughter Audrey Hill this Sunday on @OneDishOneMic