In 1994, Six Nations artist Raymond Skye had a compelling dream that inspired him to create three pieces of artwork entitled, The Great Peace... The Gathering of Good Minds. Raymond explains his dream:

This is the story of a dream I had. I was taken to a place I did not know, among a race of people from a time long past. I found myself standing on a high hillside surrounded by these people, who spoke not a word to me. I felt as though I did not belong there, and yet in some strange way I felt a deep sense of belonging.

"They were dressed in traditional buckskin clothing. And as I looked at their faces there was only silence. They seemed to look at me for only a few seconds, and then turn their attention towards a valley.

"Down in the valley were other people, and beside the valley was a lake. A feeling of serenity surrounded me. For a long time I wondered what the purpose of this dream was. As time passed I understood their silence. Their faces alone told me that the time had come.

"Since that time the dream has come alive.

"Images began to form in my mind, images that would not go away. So, with pencil in hand, I began my journey, sketch by sketch."

In the beginning, as the artwork evolved, Raymond wondered how he was going to interpret all the imagery within the triptych. A good friend of Raymond's, Jeff Burnham, came up with the idea of putting the information on computer. Jeff and Raymond realized that this artwork presented the history of the Iroquois people. The imagery itself depicted a very significant event in Iroquois history.

That event is The Great Law, sometimes referred to as The Great Peace of the Iroquois Confederacy. Centuries ago The Great Peace brought together the warring Iroquoian Nations and resulted in the formation of a united people.

Further discussion about this dream convinced Jeff and Raymond that this would prove to be an excellent teaching tool. And with this in mind, they initiated The Great Peace ... The Gathering of Good Minds CD-ROM. According to Iroquois elders and historians their project has the potential to create a greater understanding of the principle of peace.

As the millennium nears, and with it more than 500 years of contact with European settlers, the First Nations of Ontario are on the road to self-determination in business, education and government. For generations the communities have struggled to maintain their languages and cultures in a world that is constantly changing.

This is one way in which Jeff and Raymond see the retention of the cultures and languages of the First Nations. So the effort to reclaim their voice and promote the cultural strength of their community is taking place in a small corner of a business devoted to computer training.

The Working World Training Centre, located in the Eagle's Nest Office Complex on Six Nations land on the outskirts of Brantford, is the headquarters for the development of The Great Peace CD-ROM project.

The owner and president of Working World, Jeff Burnham, is the driving force behind this effort.

Educators at all levels are searching for curriculum materials that can be utilized in the delivery of Native Studies programs for Native and non-Native students. So, the CD-ROM is designed to address the requirements of elementary school learners up to and including those at college and university levels.

The project has also created an educational interactive CD-ROM that can be accessed by a wide range of students from a variety of backgrounds. First Nations elementary and high school students today have a keen awareness of computer technology. So, a teaching tool that combines technology with cultural content is an exciting way to build on their current knowledge base.

First Nations students in Canada can also benefit from a product that brings a universal message of peace and understanding presented from a First Nations perspective. The non-Native educators and students will benefit from using a resource that can sensitize the viewer to First Nations culture and values in a positive, yet challenging, learning format.

The interactive CD allows the viewer to explore the deeper meaning of the artwork. Each viewer has the ability to control what he or she explores. The student can choose to listen to narrative and view video portions, while another can access more detailed information on any of the forty or more topics contained within the main artwork menu.

For the serious student there will be detailed references for further research and appropriate essays and papers written by First Nations scholars and non-Native academics.

At various stages throughout the project the partners have presented their "work in progress" to contacts in the community, including the Chiefs of Ontario and the Assembly of First Nations. They have also had the opportunity to present a demo CD at the Canadian Aboriginal Festival held in Toronto.

The positive interest generated by educators, historians and traditional leaders have reinforced Jeff and Raymond's belief in the educational value of this CD. Everyone who has viewed the original artwork has remarked on the potential for understanding, contained within the message of The Great Peace.

Raymond sums up his thoughts by saying, "Today, new technology can extend knowledge right around the world, at the touch of a button.

Many countries are exploring a new wave of communication-the computer. It has fast become a daily part of our lives much like television, with one exception, it can assist in teaching. So let it teach something worthwhile-peace.

Long before modern technology existed, The Great Peace extended this teaching to all Nations. The need for peace and understanding never diminishes. Our children must always have that assurance.

I was born with a talent to create visual images. This talent is a gift from my Creator. If this CD accomplishes what we set out for it, I feel I will have given something back to my Creator."

The Great Peace... The Gathering of Good Minds CD-ROM was developed at the Working World Training Centre and it will be marketed by the Working World New Media Foundation. It should be available by the end of November.

For further information contact either Raymond Skye or Jeff Burnham, President, at the Working World Training Centre, 188 Mohawk Street, Brantford, Ontario, N3S 2X2 or call 1-519-751 6329 or 1-877-862-8483. Interested parties can also e-mail Jeff at jburnham@workingworld.ca

Chiefs of Ontario Magazine, Winter 1998