Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Pause
The image on the side of this page represents the Iroquois
Confederacy and its five original member nations. It is a symbol as
old as the Confederacy itself. Why do you think this symbol is still
honoured in Iroquois society?
82
sus
r
e
v
s
oi saunee
u
q
o
r
I
eno
Haud
There are two names for
the Iroquois people today:
Iroquois (ear-o-kwa)
and Haudenosaunee
(how-den-o-show-nee).
Iroquois is a name that
dates from the fur trade
during the 1600s. The
French learned this name
from the Ouendat
(wen-dat), an enemy
nation of the Iroquois.
Haudenosaunee is what
the people call themselves
in their own language. It
means people of the
longhouse and comes from
the name for the peoples
traditional dwelling.
You need to know both
names when you do
research online or in
the library.
How do the names Iroquois
and Haudenosaunee reflect
the different perspectives
of peoples? How do they
reflect the history of
North America?
Chapter 4
83
Since this presentation will be for Grade 6 students, you must think of an
innovative and intriguing way of sharing this information. Remember to
create a reference list so that people who attend the exhibition will know
where you found your information and where they can find more
information themselves.
84
Books
Author (publication date). Title. Publication Location:
Publisher.
Example:
include references
in an organized
manner as part of
research
LS
CEN
Encyclopedias
Title. (publication date). Publication Location: Publisher
TR
SKILLaSt Work
S KIL
Research
Example:
Encyclopedia Britannica. (2002). Chicago: Encyclopedia
Britannica.
On-Line Resources
Great Lakes Information Network. (2007) Native Peoples of
the Region: Settlements and Warfare: Flag of the Five
Nations. Retrieved September 20, 2007 from the Great
Lakes information network website.
Chapter 4
85
SKILLaSt Work
Before you begin
this section, list
some questions you
have about Iroquois
society and
government.
Consider whether
the information in
this section answers
your questions.
Jot down new
questions you have,
based on what you
learn from this
section.
formulate new
questions as
research
progresses
LS
CEN
TR
S KIL
determine the
reliability of
information
filtering for point
of view and bias
Research
Getting Started
Pause
The Great Law of Peace established an alliance among
the member nations of the Iroquois Confederacy. An
alliance is an agreement among a group of nations to
support each other. The alliance that established the
Iroquois Confederacy ended war among its member
nations. What other advantages might an alliance have?
86
Iroquois
Confederacy
AREA OF
MAP
E
W
S
La
wre
nc
R.
St
Atlantic
Ocean
Mo
O
h
On neida awk
o
n
Sen Cayug daga
a
eca
250 km
Pause
The map of Iroquois
lands on this page
dates from before
contact with
Europeans.
Compare the map
with a current map
of the same region.
What changes do
you see? What
reasons can you
give for the
changes?
Chapter 4
87
ar
ou
nd
11
42
cy
ra
ed
Iroq
Con uois
fou fede
nd
500
Before the
Common
Era (BCE)
SKILLaSt Work
How does the
timeline establish
that the
Confederacy could
have influenced the
founding of the
United States and
Canada, but not
the other way
around?
LS
CEN
TR
S KIL
use examples of
events in the past
to describe cause
and effect and
change over time
Historical
Thinking
88
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
Investigating Time
The timeline on page 88 dates the founding of the Iroquois
Confederacy at around 1100. This reflects one theory of
how old the Confederacy is.
Oral history records that the Seneca were the last of the
original five nations to join the Confederacy, and that this
happened just after a total eclipse of the sun.
Using astronomical data, researchers examined when solar
eclipses occurred in the past. They consulted the oral
record for a list of the Confederacys leaders, and estimated
the span of time the list represented. Then they matched
data about angles of the earth and sun with descriptions
from the oral record about the historic eclipse. When they
put all the pieces of evidence together, they suggested that
the first five nations of the Confederacy completed their
alliance shortly after a solar eclipse on August 31, 1142.
Pause
Oral history
provides a record
of the past. So
does data from
astronomy. What
are some other
ways to record
history? In what
ways are they the
same? In what
ways are they
different?
t is tory?
a
h
W l his
ora
Different peoples
have different
ways of recording
their past. The
Haudenosaunee
traditionally
recounted their
past in spoken, or
oral, records. They
had memory
keepers who
carefully learned
and maintained
these records from
generation to
generation.
This photo shows a solar eclipse. What do you
know about solar eclipses? Why can researchers
pinpoint when they will happen in the future
and when they have happened in the past?
Chapter 4
89
Clans
The Peacemaker established clans within the nations of the
Iroquois Confederacy. The clan system united the nations
and ensured peace among them. They are still an
important part of the identity of Iroquois people today.
Clans were named for one of nine air, water or land
animals. With one exception, each clan formed part of at
least two nations, and three clans formed part of every
nation.
The Peacemaker set up Iroquois society as matrilineal. This
meant clan members traced their family history and
ancestors through their mothers. Each clan was made up of
a group of families that had a common female ancestor.
When people married, the husband moved into his wifes
longhouse. When a child was born, he or she became part
of the mothers clan.
Members of the same clan were considered family
members. So, they always extended hospitality to each
other, even if they came from different nations. Also,
people of the same clan did not marry each other.
Within each nation, members of the same clan lived
together in a longhouse. You can read more about
longhouses on page 92.
Legend
Nation
Clan
90
Seneca
Cayuga
Onondaga
Oneida
Mohawk
Older
Brothers
Younger
Brothers
Keepers of the
Council Fire
Younger
Brothers
Older
Brothers
Keepers of the
Western Door
Keepers of the
Eastern Door
wolf
bear
turtle
snipe
deer
beaver
heron
hawk
eel
Chapter 4
91
Whats important?
Understand the role of the longhouse in the Iroquois
Confederacy.
The Longhouse
This photograph
shows the interior of a
longhouse at the
Ganondagon historic
site in New York. The
site is a reconstruction
of a Seneca
settlement.
In the longhouse,
people lived their
daily lives and met in
groups to talk. What
do you think children
did when important
discussions took
place? What might
they have learned
from these
discussions?
92
Moll, Herman (1736). A New Map of the North Parts of North America
Claimed by France. London, England: T. Bowles.
SKILLS
at Work
LS
CEN
TR
Think about the European point of view of the artist and how this
might have influenced what he included in this scene. To what extent
does this illustration represent a reliable source of information about
the Iroquois?
S KIL
Research
determine the reliability of information filtering for point of view and bias
93
this
t
u
Abory
Sto
This representation
of historical events
was written with
the advice and
assistance
of educator Brenda
Davis, Cayuga First
Nation, Six Nations
of the Grand River
Territory, Ontario.
quois Grand
o
Ir
e
th
r
fo
n
io
is
ec
AD
Council
Part 1: An Escape
Come back here!
other
in horror as her little br
ed
ch
at
w
h)
os
e-te
-a
Kanatiiosh (kan
house, an
way of the council long
or
do
e
th
to
in
t
gh
ai
str
bolted
lage.
the north side of her vil
g
on
al
t
sa
at
th
re
tu
imposing struc
upted the
brother before he disr
r
he
e
ev
tri
re
to
ly
on
the
Thinking
m. The dim interior of
hi
r
te
af
ed
w
llo
fo
h
os
meeting, Kanatii
nificent
d her, but as the mag
de
in
bl
y
ril
ta
en
om
m
e
longhous
her.
rgot all about her brot
fo
e
sh
,
ed
liz
ia
er
at
m
r
scene before he
95
Women
in the Iroquois Confederacy
Clan Mothers
chose and advised
the Hoyaneh
had a strong indirect
influence on decisions
Women
participated in Womens
Councils which advised
the Clan Mothers
used consensus
96
Men
in the Iroquois Confederacy
Men
Hoyaneh
made decisions for their
nation
represented their nations and
clans in the decision making
of the Grand Council
used consensus
participated in Mens
Councils which advised the
Clan Mothers
participated in decision
making for their nation
used consensus
Hoyaneh were chosen from
among the men
Chapter 4
97
ture Leader
Part 2: Preparing a Fu
ilys
g platform in her fam
in
ep
sle
r
he
to
on
d
be
h clim
That night, as Kanatiios
other came to her.
longhouse, her grandm
ked.
her grandmother as
g?
tin
ee
m
e
th
of
k
in
What did you th
t to say.
d she didnt know wha
an
t,
ho
go
ce
fa
r
he
lt
Kanatiiosh fe
ere you doing there?
w
t
ha
W
e.
us
ho
ng
lo
the council
I saw you slip inside
sed.
her grandmother pres
h
ng him out, Kanatiios
tti
ge
st
ju
as
w
I
d
an
in
My little brother ran
ink anyone saw me.
th
t
dn
di
I
.
ed
er
sw
an
t you to
r, I saw you. And I wan
te
gh
au
dd
an
gr
y
m
t
Hardly anyone did. Bu
you dont think I see.
gs
in
th
of
t
lo
a
e
se
I
know
Like what?
ake
the children how to m
ow
sh
u
yo
n
he
w
e
ar
u
Like how patient yo
rries you pick in the
be
e
th
e
ar
sh
to
e
ar
u
yo
e a great
baskets. And how quick
e of things, youll mak
sid
od
go
e
th
on
y
sta
summertime. If you
y.
Clan Mother some da
eepishly.
y? Kanatiiosh asked sh
da
to
of
e
us
ca
be
e
m
Are you angry with
e
you should know mor
k
in
th
ly
al
tu
ac
I
d.
ie
r repl
u can be.
No, her grandmothe
great leader I think yo
e
th
e
m
co
be
to
re
u
about these things if yo
Cayuga
98
Oneida
Kanatiiosh lowered he
r eyes in respect.
Oh, Grandmother, to
day I actually saw the
sacred fire youve alw
told me about, Kana
ays
tiiosh said, her words
co
m
in
g
in
a rush. And I
saw how closely the Ho
yaneh listened to the
O
no
ndaga leader who
spoke. Everything seem
ed so important. And
serious.
It is, agreed Skawen
nati. Treaty-making is
not taken lightly amon
the Iroquois.
g
Are they any closer to
making a decision?
Yes. Just today the G
rand Council agreed to
negotiate a treaty. Now
the Hoyaneh must wor
k out the terms and ev
eryone must agree to
them.
Grandmother, can yo
u tell me everything th
at happens when such
an important decision
is being made?
I can, Kanatiiosh, bu
t not tonight. You have
to be at the cooking
fires early to help feed
the visiting Hoyaneh,
so Ill tell you all abou
tomorrow after the ev
t it
ening meal, all right?
All right, Kanatiiosh
echoed, barely stifling
a yawn as her
grandmother tucked he
r in.
Mohawk
Seneca
Onondaga
Chapter 4
99
a
ag
nd
no
brothers agree, the O
ement.
asked to give their judg
ly.
natiiosh asked curious
Ka
?
ee
gr
sa
di
h
ne
ya
a Ho
What if the Onondag
r and
the process to the elde
h
ug
ro
th
ck
ba
es
go
Then their decision
.
to reconsider the issue
ve
ha
ld
ou
w
ho
w
,
rs
younger brothe
re a decision is made?
fo
be
ue
iss
an
on
e
re
So everyone has to ag
ten
ourselves. We must lis
rn
ve
go
to
us
ht
ug
ta
emaker
rtant.
Yes. It is how the Peac
the discussion is impo
to
gs
in
br
h
ne
ya
Ho
ch
to each other. What ea
Second Step
Seneca
&
Mohawk
Cayuga
&
Oneida
reach
consensus
reach
consensus
Pause
Third Step
The Keepers of
the Council Fire
Onondaga
give a
judgement
decision
Chapter 4
101
f
r
e
j
Within each nation, the Hoyaneh formed a council for that nation. This council
made decisions that helped its nation function well, such as sharing resources and
locating settlements.
Mohawk Council
3 Hoyaneh
3 Hoyaneh
3 Clan Mothers
3 Clan Mothers
Womens
Council
Mens
Council
Womens
Council
Mens
Council
3 Hoyaneh
Wolf Clan
Turtle Clan
3 Clan Mothers
Womens
Council
Mens
Council
Bear Clan
Mohawk
Legend
decisions made
by consensus
102
represent
advise
The Hoyaneh from each nation represented their people on the Grand Council.
The number of Hoyaneh for each nation was established by the Peacemaker.
The Grand Council met when a member nation called for a meeting. The role of
the Hoyaneh at Grand Council meetings was to represent the people of their clan
and nation. The Clan Mothers advised the Hoyaneh and attended Grand Council
meetings to make sure their Hoyaneh fulfilled their role as representatives.
Onondaga
14 Hoyaneh
Mohawk
Cayuga
9 Hoyaneh
10 Hoyaneh
f
r
e
j
Grand Council
50 Hoyaneh
Seneca
Oneida
8 Hoyaneh
9 Hoyaneh
103
Whats important?
Understand the meaning and importance of wampum.
aled
Part 3: A Treaty Reve
rls her
worked beside other gi
h
os
tii
na
Ka
as
r,
te
la
Many days
d,
ttles of corn soup stoke
ke
e
th
h
at
ne
be
es
fir
age to keep the
oak
to the shade of a huge
in
r
he
d
lle
ca
r
he
ot
her grandm
tree.
show
t something special to
gh
ou
br
ve
ha
I
,
er
ht
Granddaug
ner she held
said, opening a contai
r
he
ot
dm
an
gr
r
he
you,
rms
h decided upon the te
ne
ya
Ho
e
th
r
fte
A
.
m
under her ar
of it.
ade as a lasting record
m
as
w
is
th
y,
at
tre
e
of th
laid a
r grandmother gently
he
as
e
rg
la
ew
gr
es
ey
Kanatiioshs
ith two
on the grass, woven w
lt
be
m
pu
am
w
t
en
fic
magni
ainst a background of
ag
s
ad
be
m
pu
am
w
le
rows of purp
white wampum beads.
ked, sucking in her
as
h
os
tii
na
Ka
n?
ea
m
What does it
breath.
e Guswentah (gus-wen
th
s
i
,
id
sa
r
he
ot
dm
This, her gran
the
m Treaty. It describes
pu
am
W
w
Ro
o
Tw
e
ta) th
sh.
nfederacy and the Briti
Co
s
oi
qu
Iro
e
th
n
ee
agreement betw
d respect
te peace, friendship an
no
de
it
on
es
ip
str
te
The whi
of
ement. The two lines
re
ag
e
th
of
es
rti
pa
o
between the tw
s of our
rent customs and way
ffe
di
e
th
fy
ni
sig
s
ad
purple be
rallel, never touching.
pa
e
ar
es
lin
le
rp
pu
e
two peoples. Th
ill make
ty says neither of us w
ea
Tr
m
pu
am
W
w
Ro
The Two
her.
the business of the ot
ith
w
re
rfe
te
in
r
no
s
w
la
h said
e in peace, Kanatiios
liv
l
al
n
ca
e
w
ay
w
ly
Its the on
by
ld understand and live
ou
w
sh
iti
Br
e
th
ng
pi
thoughtfully, ho
pum belt represented.
the agreement the wam
SKILLaSt Work
CEN
TR
S KIL
Research
Chapter 4
105
Wampum
Among the Iroquois, wampum beads made from shells are
woven into patterned strings or belts that record important
events, ideas, contracts, pledges or treaties among nations.
When Europeans began to arrive in North America, the
Iroquois negotiated and concluded agreements with the
newcomers and presented them with records of the
agreements in wampum. Wampum strings and belts
were used at councils and in ceremonies of the Iroquois,
and still are.
106
SKILLaSt Work
What information
about the
foundation, structure
and processes of the
Iroquois Confederacy
do wampum belts
provide? Why are
primary sources such
as wampum belts
valuable?
LS
CEN
TR
S KIL
use primary
sources to interpret
historical events
and issues
Geographic
Thinking
Seneca
Oneida
Cayuga
Mohawk
Onondaga
This figure represents the Tree of Peace and it stands at the centre of the
Confederacy. You can read more about the Tree of Peace on page 108.
The white line that joins the nations symbolizes the path
of peace. It extends out from both sides of the belt. This
invites other nations to follow the path of peace, accept
the Great Law of Peace, and take shelter under the Tree
of Peace.
Chapter 4
107
Pause
The Tree of Peace is a
symbol of the Iroquois
Confederacy. Symbols
represent ideas. What
important ideas about
the Iroquois Confederacy
does the Tree of Peace
communicate?
freedoms
representation
equity
justice
e
advisors of th
e
b
ll
a
sh
s
n
atio
all be
of the five n
their skin sh
f
o
ss
e
n
The Hoyaneh
k
ic
regard
time. The th
they will dis
t
a
th
people for all
y
sa
to
them.
which is
done against
s
g
n
ro
w
seven spans
d
eir
n
a
goodwill. Th
gainst them
d
a
n
a
id
e
c
sa
a
s
e
p
rd
o
h
w
wit
hey
shall be filled
eir people. T
th
f
o
re
a
Their hearts
lf
e
w
ce, and
earn for the
ndless patien
e
h
it
minds will y
w
s
e
ti
and
u
ut their d
dness. Anger
in
k
h
it
w
shall carry o
t
g
u
be handed o
nd everythin
l
a
il
s,
w
d
ss
in
e
m
n
ir
rm
e
fi
th
t find place in lm deliberation.
fury shall no
a
c
do will show
d
n
a
y
sa
y
e
th
of
e Great Law
th
f
o
4
2
n
o
n
ti
s Reclamatio
ersions of sec
n
v
o
n
ti
a
o
N
d
se
ix
a
S
B
s:
te
e following si
erature.
Peace from th
s Peoples Lit
u
o
n
e
ig
d
In
and
Information
Pause
1. What characteristics does the Great Law of Peace say that the Hoyaneh need?
2. Think about the structure of Iroquois government and the role that the
Hoyaneh played in it. Why do you think the Great Law of Peace specified
these characteristics for the Hoyaneh?
109
Whats important?
The Great Law of Peace defines the roles of men and
women in the traditional government of the Iroquois
Confederacy. How did these different roles support
Iroquois society and government?
lities
i
b
i
s
n
o
p
s
and Re
s
t
h
g
i
R
s
i
Iroquo
ies
Responsibilit
d
n
a
ts
h
ig
R
Womens
ers:
w of Peace
As Clan Moth
a
L
t
a
re
G
e
th
and keeping
Knowing
n
re of their cla
a
lf
e
w
e
th
g
n
Council and
Promoti
s
n
e
m
o
W
e
e advice of th
Seeking th uncil of their clan
the Mens Co
h
g the Hoyane
in
is
v
d
a
d
n
a
Choosing
ouncils:
In Womens C
nsus on issues
se
n
o
c
a
g
in
d
il
Bu
rs
e Clan Mothe
Advising th
ies
Responsibilit
d
n
a
ts
h
ig
R
Mens
e
As Hoyaneh:
t Law of Peac
a
cil
re
G
e
th
g
in
eep
e Grand Coun
k
th
d
d
n
n
a
a
g
s
in
ie
n
w
o
o
m
Kn
eir role in cere
th
g
n
li
il
lf
fu
d
an
others
Knowing
of the Clan M
e
ic
v
d
a
e
th
in the future
to
d
g
n
a
in
n
w
te
o
is
n
L
le
p
eo
best for their p
s
t
a
h
w
f
o
g
in
Think
s on issues
su
n
se
n
o
c
a
g
Buildin
earted
est and kindh
n
o
h
g
in
e
B
and criticism
st
h
it
w
to
le
b
Being a
ncils:
In Mens Cou
es
nsensus on issu
o
c
a
g
in
d
il
u
B
What qualities do effective
lan Mothers
C
e
th
g
in
is
v
d
A
leaders have today?
Pause
110
Consensus
Whats important?
Societies have different ways of putting the democratic
ideals of equity and fairness into action. What do the
statements below show about fairness and equity in the
Iroquois Confederacy ? What similarities and differences
do you see between the Iroquois Confederacy and
ancient Athens?
Norma General lives in Ohsweken, Ontario. She is a member of the Cayuga Nation and an Elder,
Wolf Clan. Her traditional name, Gaihohwakohn, means holding the canoe. She is a cultural
educator across Canada and the United States, an instructor at McMaster University in Hamilton,
Ontario, and an instructor at the First Nations Technical Institute in Tyandenaga, Ontario.
Pause
Consider Elder Norma Generals explanation of consensus.
How might what she says apply to you? Think about the
personal guideline for participating in groups that you
created in Chapter 1. What could you add to your guideline,
based on the ideas of consensus? What advantages does
consensus have as a way to make choices in groups?
Chapter 4
111
112
How do members of
society influence
government decisions?
Pause
The Iroquois planted corn, beans and squash together, calling these the Three
Sisters. The cornstalks provided support for the growing beans, which provided
nitrogen to fertilize the soil. Low lying squash leaves sheltered the plants roots
and retained soil moisture. How can the Three Sisters provide a model for the
way Iroquois society functioned?
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This sign marks land along the Grand River in Ontario, where some members of the
Iroquois Confederacy live today. The Iroquois moved to the Grand River because of
the American War of Independence, from 1776 to 1783, in which the United States
fought Britain. After the war, members of the Iroquois who had supported Britain
during the war left the United States.
SKILLS
at Work
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CEN
LS
TR
S KIL
How does this location compare with the original location of the Iroquois
Confederacy, where many Iroquois continue to live today? Consult the map on page
87 to formulate your conclusion.
Geographic
Thinking
Review! Review!
1. What was the traditional social structure of the
Iroquois?
Construct a mind map or diagram to show the structure
of the Iroquois society.
freedoms
representation
equity
justice
A Clan Mother
One of the Hoyaneh
A young Iroquois man
3. How did the decision making
process within the Iroquois
Confederacy show equity and
fairness?
Answer this question orally,
backing up your ideas with
evidence. Hint: How would
Kanatiiosh, the Clan Mothers
granddaughter, have answered
this question?
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