By Mr. Doug George-Kanentiio, Akwesasne Mohawk, editor, columnist, and author.

Jake Swamp-Tekaronianeken, 68, the Wolf Clan Mohawk diplomat, author, teacher, chief, husband, father, grandparent and great-grandparent passed into the spirit world on October 14, 2010 at his home on the Akwesasne Mohawk Territory.

Swamp was a member of the Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs for over three decades, a position in which he served as a counselor, spiritual leader, legislator and ambassador. He established the Tree of Peace Society in 1984 to promote the teachings of the Skennenrahowi (the Peacemaker) while advocating greater ecological awareness and sensitivity. Swamp planted hundreds of Peace Trees in many nations, an activity begun with the founding of the Confederacy. Through his example millions of trees have taken root around the world from Israel to Australia, Venezuela to Spain and in all regions of North America.

Swamp served as Mohawk Nation diplomat in many instances. He addressed the Fourth Russell Tribunal in the Netherlands, was a delegate to the United Nations, met with leaders of foreign nations and advised representatives from the US Congress and Canadian Parliament.  He worked closely with scholars to have the US Senate pass a resolution acknowledging the influence of the Haudenosaunee (People of the Longhouse, or the Iroquois), on the US Constitution and thereby initiated a revolution in the understanding of American history. He was a delegate to two sessions of the World Parliament of Religions where he was affectionately called "el jeffe".

It is taught by the Haudenosaunee that whatever one does in life it is essential to leave things better than when they were found, to take into consideration the effect of one's actions on the seventh generation into the future.  Throughout his wonderful life Tekaronianeken abided by this principle.  Through his books, his words and his actions he brought great honour to his family, his community, the Mohawk Nation and the Haudenosaunee.