Lead Question #6: How does Haudenosaunee governance work?

Narrated text:

“Haudenosaunee governance operates on the principle of consensus building. Kaianere’kó:wa defines the procedures and protocols to be used to arrive at one mind on important matters.

Matters are decided with thoughtful reflection, reason and respectful cooperation. There is no voting or majority rule. Matters are discussed until the Chiefs come to one mind on the matter. Basically, they talk through a SWOT analysis of the matter being discusses. By weighing all the possible strengths and weakness of a potential decision and considering the opportunities and threats presented by that matter, the Chiefs come to one mind as to the course of action to be pursued.”