Deganawida "The great peacemaker" came to the Five Nations that were constantly in belligerence, with a message he had received from The Creator that contained the principles of peace, equality, respect, love and justice.
He unified the nations as in a "Communal House" where each had its own fire. In the center - Onondaga Territory - The Great Peace Tree was planted, its branches represented the homes in the Confederate nations and its roots extended to the four cardinal points, invited other peoples to take refuge in it.
I think the authors purpose was to show how they all came together and that the confederacy is what kept them together kinda like how a trees roots keep it in the ground in a storm
