Role of Women:• The Iroquois were a matriarchal

society, or a society that is run by women.

• Women owned all of the property in the long house.

• They were also in charge of farming.

• Iroquois men moved into the homes of his wife’s family, and when children were born, they would become part of their mother’s clan.

• While Iroquois men trapped animals, hunted and fished, women would plant crops and teach their children discipline and other skills they would need to function in Iroquois society.

League of the Iroquois Structure

• Clan: Consisted of what we today would consider our extended family. For example, a clan may include your close family plus aunts and uncles.

• Village: An Iroquois village was similar to what we today think of a town. A single village would have 10 to 50 families (clans), or 50 to 250 people on average. For example, many families live in Spackenkill.

• Tribe: Many villages would belong to a single tribe. For example, today we would include Spackenkill, Fishkill, Poughkeepsie, Hyde Park etc. as part of Dutchess county.

• Confederacy/ Nation: The five tribes of the Iroquois make up the Iroquois nation. Just like the many counties of New York make up the state.

• The Iroquois live in present-day New York State.

The League of the Iroquois

• The Five Nations fought frequently until Mohawk leader Hiawatha, inspired by the religious leader Dekanawida, organized the five nations into a peaceful alliance known as the League of the Iroquois.

Alliance - a union between nations for assistance and protection

Formation of the League:• The League of the Iroquois was originally made up of five nations.

C ayuga

O nondagaS enecaM ohawkO neida

"Hiawatha's Belt" was composed of five figures. In the center was what some have described as a heart, to others it was a great or sacred tree under which the Iroquois met in council. The five devices represent the five original tribes.

• They lived in long houses, which were about 150 feet long, 20 feet wide, and made of poles sided with bark.

Housing:

• While each family stayed in their own room, they shared a fireplace in the hallway.

• Many families lived in a single long house.

Iroquois Longhouse Interior, Gonondagan State Historical Site Victor, New York

• A council of 50 members, chosen by women, made decisions for the League.Iroquois Government:

• All of the nations had to agree before any action could be taken.• Each nation had one vote.

This is a meeting of the Iroquois Six Nations Council. Note the flags symbolizing the many clans among these tribes. Ontario Canada, 1914