1. Of the Eastern Woodlands
Iroquois Indians
Of the
Eastern
Woodlands

2. A. The Iroquois of the Eastern Woodlands
(Algonquin)
1. Iroquois Confederacy (The League of 5 Nations) =
(5 tribes + 1) T O + M S C
Cayuga
Onondaga
Seneca
This
Was
the
First
Representative
Government
Mohawk
Oneida
Tuscarora
in about 1720’s

3. a. Lived in Longhouses (18X 60)

4. b. Men’s roles in Iroquois society
warriors, leaders, hunters.
Cleared land, invented lacrosse, developed snowshoes and tomahawks

5. Council of 49 or 50 leaders representing all six nations
Decided solutions for problems.
Eventually, the Iroquois became allies with the British (English).
This was the first representative government.
In fact it was the basis to the United States Constitution.

6. c. Women of the Iroquois Women could not be SACHEMS, however.
Women owned household property, and were in charge of planting and harvesting- C,B,S.
Women had the power to choose clan leaders.
Named Children and arranged marriages
Men married and moved in with his wife’s family.
Women Elected Sachems: who were tribal leaders that made decisions and watched over their actions.
Women could not be SACHEMS, however.

7. False Face Society
Masks were worn by dancers of the Iroquois False Face Society during rituals.
They were made of trunks of living trees
They believed to hold great power in curing sickness and keep away evil spirits.
Iroquois people, today, think they should not be displayed in museums, instead they should be returned to the people who believe in their true POWER.

8. The Iroquois Follow the seasons Spring
Planted crops corn, beans, squash
They also ate fish, meat
Vegetables
Summer
Women made baskets
Men made repairs to canoes, longhouses, traded, attack enemies.
Fall
Hunt for deer on foot and canoe
tendons were made into fibers and thread
Hooves were boiled and made into glue
Winter
Made new weapons
Cleaned animal skins
Children listened to stories
Hunted elk, deer, bear, beaver, moose, duck, turkey
Prayed for the season of LIFE!!

9. Iroquois Social Structure
Individual
Iroquois
Iroquois Social Structure
Most important
Social unit in
The Iroquois
Also called a
Nuclear family
Fireside Family
Extended family
Longhouse family
Clan
Include
Several (6-14) longhouses
Matrilineal head of families
Turtle
Wolf
Beaver
Eagle
Deer
Heron
Snipe
Bear
NATION

10. How the Iroquois Adapted to their environment
Their activities revolved around the seasons of the year.
Used their environment to make shelters, get food, make weapons

11. Iroquois Government
A confederacy is a group of people who join together to help each other.
The Iroquois Confederacy is
5 nations + 1. =
COSMO+ T

12. Each longhouse= 4-8 fireside Each longhouse= 4-8 fireside
Iroquois Confederacy
Includes 49 or 50 chiefs
From the 6 tribes:
Cayuga
included
Each longhouse= 4-8 fireside
families
Each longhouse= 4-8 fireside
Tuscarora
included
Oneida
Included
Mohawk
Seneca
Onondaga
Tribe = 8-14 Villages
Villages =
Approx. 8 clans
Each clan =
4-5 longhouses
Tribe = 8-14 Villages
Villages =
Approx. 8 clans
Each clan =
4-5 longhouses
Each longhouse= 4-8 fireside
families

13. family other than mother, father and siblings= LONGHOUSE FAMILY
Patriarchy
Matriarchy
Patrilineal
Matrilineal
Nuclear
Family
Extended
family other than mother, father and siblings= LONGHOUSE FAMILY
Father, mother and children
Mother’s side of the family. Iroquois men would marry into the woman’s family.
Father’s side of the family.
a female who dominates or rules a family, group or state
A male who dominates or rules a family, group or state.
a brother or sister

14. Wampum beads made of shells strung in strands,
belts and sashes and Native Americans as money, ornament, and political signifiers
The Five Nations Flag

15. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
American Poet
Wrote the famous poem “The song of Hiawatha”
Buried was the bloody hatchet,
Buried was the dreadful war clubs,
Buried were all warlike weapons,
And the war cry was forgotten.
There was peace among the nations.
What does this poem describe?

16. Peace and Unity between the Tribes