Of the Eastern Woodlands Iroquois Indians Of the Eastern Woodlands

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

a. Lived in Longhouses (18X 60)

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

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.

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.

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.

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!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

Peace and Unity between the Tribes