IROQUOIS INDIANS Teaching American History Inez Cutler

H0W DID NATIVE AMERICANS COME TO THE FOREST? WHAT DO YOU KNOW? WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW? WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED? Click On the media clip to preview this video.

Iroquois Population 1600’s probably less than 20,000 After1660’s increased and rose to about 25, ’s decreased to only 12,000 End of Revolutionary War – less than 8, ’s =17,000 Today=70,000

Iroquois Indians- LOCATION Archeological evidence indicates the Iroquois lived in upstate New York before the Europeans arrived. The Onondaga were the first of the Iroquois tribes that can be positively identified in New York. This seem to have begun after the merger of two villages sometime between 1450 and 1475.

Iroquois Indians – LOCATION (cont’d)

Who are the Iroquois? The Iroquois people were named by their enemies. They were given the name (Irinakhoiw) meaning “rattlesnakes”. Later changing to the Iroquois. The largest make up of the Iroquois people was the Mohawks. The Mohawks totaled to more than 35,000 members.

Who are the Iroquois (cont’d) The Iroquois women were a major part of the Indian culture. The Iroquois tribes were divided into three clans, the bear, turtle, and the wolf. These tribes were all headed by a clan mother.

Iroquois – CULTURE The Iroquois people custom was to follow the woman heritage line to determine kinship. This is where family social structure is determined by the mothers’ family line. Women also owned all property.

Iroquois – CULTURE (cont’d) Agriculture provided most of their diet: corn, beans, squash, and fish. They worshiped and celebrated the importance of the agriculture in their culture by their six annual festivals to celebrate their harvest.

Shelter When the Iroquois people married, the husband moved into the long house with the wife, and the children became part of her clan.

The Longhouse IT IS A LONG WOODEN BUILDING IN WHICH SEVERAL IROQUOIS FAMILIES LIVE TOGETHER. IT WAS MADE OF ELM BARK AND HAD A LARGE DOOR AT EACH END.

Inside the Longhouse The longhouse could be over 200’ in length. It could house many people. Inside the longhouse the Ir0quois kept all of the necessities for their clan. These villages were very stable, unless interrupted and moved for defense purposes.

LEGENDS AND STORIES THE IROQUOIS OFTEN USED LEGENDS OR STORIES HANDED DOWN OVER TIME, TO EXPLAIN THE PAST. IROQUOIS MYTHS and LEGENDS

Dekanawida’s Legend “PEACE AND UNITY” THE IROQUOIS MUST COME TOGETHER BY TAKING HOLD OF EACH OTHER’S HANDS SO FIRMLY AND FORMING A CIRCLE SO STRONG THAT IF A TREE SHOULD FALL UPON IT, IT COULD NOT SHAKE NOT BREAK IT, SO THAT OUR PEOPLE AND GRANDCHILDREN SHALL REMAIN IN THE CIRCLE IN SECURITY, PEACE, AND HAPPINESS.

Iroquois League MEN FROM EACH OF THE FIVE TRIBES SERVED ON THE GREAT COUNCIL. THE OLDEST WOMEN OF EACH TRIBE CHOSE THE COUNCIL MEMBERS. EACH MEMBER HAD ONE VOTE. ALL HAD TO AGREE BEFORE ANYTHING WAS DONE.

The Five Nations IN 1570 THE MEMBERS OF THE IROQUOIS FORMED A CONFEDERATION OR LOOSE GROUPS OF GOVERNMENTS. EACH TRIBE GOVERNED ITSELF. MATTERS THAT WERE IMPORTANT TO ALL, SUCH AS WAR AND TRADE WERE DECIDE BY A GREAT COUNCIL.

The Iroquois Flag and the Hiawatha Wampum Belt The Hiawatha wampum belt is comprised of thirty eight rows. A heart as a great tree is located in the center. On both sides of the tree there are two squares, all are connected with the heart by white rows of wampum. The belt is the emblem of unity among the Five Nations.

United We Stand Divided We FALL The most important part of the Iroquois people was their ability to be united. This is how the Iroquois won many battles against other tribes as well as outside forces.

LAW of the LAND The Iroquois were only required to maintain peace with one another. The primary law of the land was called the Kainerekowa- which eloquently stated…. Iroquois “SHOULD NOT KILL ONE ANOTHER!”

Working The Iroquois people were no strangers to hard work. They were hired to help during the construction of the Dominion Bridge in Montreal, and they showed no fear of heights. They have continued to being part of the construction of almost every major bridge or skyscraper.

Harcourt Brace (2000). Early united states. 02indiansofnorthamerica/The_Iroquois.html#TXTANC indiansofnorthamerica/The_Iroquois.html#TXTANC one.html one.html References