Chapter 4: Iroquois Confederacy

Haudenosaunee [how-den-o-SHOW-nee]

“Haudenosaunee” means people who build and is the proper name of the people of the Longhouse (the Six Nations). The French settlers called them “Iroquois”, which you are likely familiar with.

Why was the Confederacy formed?Before the Indo-

Europeans came, the peoples of the North American forest experienced war and strife.

Among these people was one individual who carried words of peace known as the Peacemaker.

Human beings

should stop hurting one

another!

Humans are capable of

reason, and through that, all men desire

peace!

So, who joined?The Peacemaker travelled

among the people, from nation to nation, seeking those who would take up this way of peace. Nations 1-5 gathered together creating the Great Law of Peace. (The time is unknown.)

1.2

.3.

4.

5.

6.

Eventually, in the early 1700s, a 6th nation joined known as Tuscarora. The Six Nations or Iroquois Confederacy was complete.

What was Iroquois Society like? Iroquois homes or

longhouses were wood frames covered in elm bark.

The six nations were divided into nine clans which were led by clan mothers.

As the families grew larger, they would extend the longhouse by building onto the end. Some longhouses were as long as a football field!

Some villages had 4 or 5 longhouses, while other large villages had as many as 50!

The Role of Iroquois WomenWomen had high positions of

respect in Iroquois Society.Women were responsible for

planting and maintaining gardens and raising children.

The women raised corn, beans, and squash, which were the main food supply of the Iroquois. These crops are known as the “Three Sisters”.

They also owned the property and homes.

Women would decide whether or not war was to be declared.

Clan MothersClan mothers were the

leaders of the clan. The title of “Clan Mother”

was usually passed on to her female relatives such as her sisters or daughters. (Similar to the structure of a Royal Family.)

The Great Law of Peace gave clan mothers the responsibility of selecting the chiefs for their own clan. Clan Mothers continue to have as much importance and respect as they did in the past.

In choosing a chief, the clan mother would

look for characteristic

s such as:

Honesty and kind-heartedne

ss

Ability to think

clearly

Knowledge of

traditional

ceremonies

Loyalty to family

Ability to uphold

the Great Law

Ability to represent

the people fairly

Ability to withstand criticism

The Role of Iroquois Men

Men served as the chiefs on

the Grand Council, which

was the government of the Iroquois. They were

responsible for:

The men organized

hunting and fishing parties

to provide meat for the village.

They cut trees to make

longhouses and canoes.

They organized team sports

such as Lacrosse which helped men to

build leadership skills,

endurance, strength, and

speed for hunting and

warfare.

Wars were fought

exclusively by men.

What Was Wampum Used For?

Wampum is string or belts made up of white and purple beads. Each string or belt held a different message.

Activity: Who Was Hiawatha? (Pg. 83)

As you already know, Canada has a written Constitution that sets out the rules of Canadian Society. The Great Law of Peace is the constitution of the Iroquois.

The wampum belt is used to remember and recite the Great Law.

Wampum keepers were chosen by the clan and trained from a young age (younger than you) to remember the information in a dramatic way.

How were decisions made in the Confederacy?

Under the Great Law, democratic principles were built into the decision making process:

Equality among all chiefs, in the Grand Council with the same level of authority

Both men and women shared authority men were nominated as chiefs

(male authority) by women (female authority)

both men and women belonged to the mother's clan (giving women authority)

The clan system ensured no one nation could over take the confederacy. Loyalties were split between the clan and the nation, which helped maintain democracy and unity in the Confederacy.

Decisions by Consensus The Great Law allows

everyone to voice opinions and agree upon decisions through consensus

Consensus - all people affected by a decision have an equal voice

In order for consensus to work, people must be open-minded and willing to think deeply about issues and what other peoples ideas and suggestions are.  Although the decision may not be their first choice, for what is best to all in the group, they must be willing to support it.

Complete questions 1-3 “Thinking it Through” on Page 90 in your duotangs.

Now for some HUMOR! Is this a consensus?