To understand the "Strategy for Survival" outlined in A Basic Call to Consciousness, it is helpful to view it not just as a political manifesto, but as a biological and spiritual blueprint.

The Haudenosaunee argue that modern Western civilization is "entropy-producing"—it consumes more than it creates. Their strategy for survival is based on shifting from a culture of consumption to a culture of reciprocity.

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1. The Principle of "The Great Law of Peace"

The strategy is rooted in Gayanehsahgowah (The Great Law of Peace), which defines peace not merely as the absence of war, but as the presence of social justice and a healthy mind.

• The Power of Reason: The strategy asserts that human beings have the "power of the good mind" to solve problems without force.
• Unity of Purpose: Survival depends on finding a "one mindedness" regarding the protection of the Earth, putting aside individual greed for the collective good of all living things.

2. Living Within "Natural Law"

The book argues that Western legal systems are artificial because they are based on human whims and property rights. A strategy for survival requires returning to Natural Law:

• Non-Negotiable Limits: Nature has laws that humans cannot break without consequence (e.g., if you poison the water, you die).
• The Seventh Generation: Every major decision must be weighed by its impact on the seven generations following us. This transforms "survival" from a short-term quarterly goal into a long-term civilizational duty.

3. De-colonizing the Mind

A central part of the strategy is the rejection of "Progress" as defined by the West.

• Liberation from Technology: The Haudenosaunee suggest that humanity has become a "slave to its own inventions." Survival requires a technological "step back" to ensure that our tools do not destroy our habitat.
• Identity and Sovereignty: Indigenous peoples are viewed as the "canaries in the coal mine." The strategy suggests that if Indigenous cultures (who know how to live sustainably) are destroyed, the rest of humanity will inevitably follow because the "knowledge of how to live" will be lost.

4. Spiritual Consciousness as a Tool

The authors argue that a "spiritual consciousness" is the most practical political tool available.

• Gratitude vs. Entitlement: By practicing daily gratitude for the sun, water, and plants, humans move away from the "extractive" mindset that drives environmental collapse.
• Kinship with the Non-Human: The strategy treats animals, forests, and rivers as "nations" or "relatives" with their own rights, rather than "resources" to be used.

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Summary of the Strategy

The "Death Path" (Current)	The Strategy for Survival
Focus on individual wealth	Focus on collective well-being
Human-centric (Nature is a resource)	Earth-centric (Nature is a relative)
Linear growth (Infinite consumption)	Cyclical living (Reciprocity)
Short-term profit (Next quarter)	Long-term vision (7th Generation)

"The Haudenosaunee message is a call to consciousness... a call to the peoples of the world to recognize that their survival is dependent upon the survival of the Natural World."