Native American 'Constitution' is Golden by Peter Rexford on Creators.com

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Native American 'Constitution' is Golden

It doesn't seem that long ago when every two to four years, print and broadcast news accentuated the amount of political rhetoric from candidates stumping to be elected to office. Not anymore. Today, we can't open the daily paper or turn on network news without much of the content circling around the presidency, Congress, Capitol Hill, the economy, pork barrel projects, the war(s) and every other topic that Washington decides to touch.

As the candidates or those already in office profess their positions, I'm amazed and amused at how often the Constitution slips into their monologues. I may be overly cynical, but I'd wager that a good number of these politicos have never even read the Constitution other than the preamble.

For instance, in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, a portion reads that Congress shall have the right: "To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin, and fix the standard of weights and measures." I'll give them credit for doing that. After all, they approved the current golden dollar coin that no one ever sees. That's because even though we spend a small fortune minting them each year, Congress hasn't pursued or pushed for their use (as has virtually every other country).

Even if legislators don't care to use dollar coins, this year they would especially be well-advised to take a look at the one now being issued. On the front is the more-or-less familiar image of Sacagawea — the indispensable companion and guide to Lewis and Clark on their journey west through the Louisiana Purchase territory. Her portrait has graced the coins since introducing them in 2000.

During the past 10 years, the reverse's design has shown a soaring eagle. Nothing dramatic but nice. This year, however, things changed. For 2010, the reverse design has changed from the eagle to an image few, if any, will recognize. But this image has more history than our Constitution.

The image is purely American Indian, featuring the Hiawatha Belt with five arrows bound together.

So, what does that mean you ask? According to Ed Moy, the U.S. Mint director, "… the design honors the Iroquois Confederacy — five tribal Nations joined by a single constitution in the 1400s." As some historians are aware, the Iroquois Confederacy has not only had influence on Western political thought, but also included concepts of equality and democratic self-government — among American Indians on the North American continent hundreds of years before the existence of the United States. Ben Franklin openly stated that a number of the U.S. Constitution's aspects are taken from that of the Iroquois.

Even though the image of the belt and arrows may be entirely foreign to most, it is seriously impressive. It evokes a tad of the "Old West" as seen on the buffalo nickel of the early 1900s. And the attention to detail in the belt and arrowheads is especially intricate.

Below the belt are the words "Haudenosaunee" and "Great Law of Peace." "Haudenosaunee" is the name the Iroquois used to refer to themselves, which also means "People of the Longhouse" in reference to the large community homes they built and lived in. The "Great Law Of Peace" aspect may seem like a disconnect considering the state of the world today. But it's not only a modern aspiration, but also a resolution the Indians wished to live by some 500 years ago. It's clearly a wise credo for everyone today.

I'd like to say the new golden dollar coins will soon be showing up in pocket change and cash drawers; however, because so few vending machines, retail stores or banks accept them, those looking for them may need to go directly to the Mint. Not a problem.

The coins are now on sale in two-roll sets (25 coins per roll) and 200-coin bags struck at the Mint facilities at Denver and Philadelphia. For more information, log onto www.USMint.gov or phone toll-free at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).

Editor's Note: A JPEG visual of the reverse of the new golden dollar coin has been sent with this column.

To find out more about Peter Rexford and to read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.