Haudenosaunee Confederacy PDF

(HAUDENOSAUNEE) CONFEDERACY “PEOPLE OF THE LONG HOUSE” The confederacy, made up of the WHAT IS THE CONFEDERACY? Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Called the Iroquois Confederacy by the Cayugas, and Senecas was French, and the League of Five Nations intended as a way to unite the by the English, the confe...

(HAUDENOSAUNEE) CONFEDERACY “PEOPLE OF THE LONG HOUSE” The confederacy, made up of the WHAT IS THE CONFEDERACY? Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Called the Iroquois Confederacy by the Cayugas, and Senecas was French, and the League of Five Nations intended as a way to unite the by the English, the confederacy is nations and create a peaceful properly called the Haudenosaunee means of decision making. Confederacy meaning People of the long Through the confederacy, each of house. The confederacy was founded by the nations of the Haudenosaunee the prophet known as the Peacemaker (179kb/2sec) are united by a common goal to live in harmony. with the help of Aionwatha (146kb/1sec), Each nation maintains it own more commonly known as council with Chiefs chosen by the Hiawatha. The exact date of the joining Clan Mother and deals with its of the nations is unknown and said to be own internal affairs but allows the time memorial making it one of the first Grand Council to deal with issues and longest lasting participatory affecting the nations within the democracies in the world. confederacy. http://www.bigorrin.org/iroquois_kids.htm. Confederacy Haudenosaunee Confederacy(15th C to 1776) 1500 - 1776 The haudenosaunee confederacy which is also known as the Iroquois is one of the longest democracies in the world. The Iroquois consisted of 6 native nations that came together abiding by “Great peace of law” The key principles for Great Peace of Law are, division of powers among the government, equal participation, including women, rights and freedoms to speak one’s mind and follow their choice of religion. This was an oral constitution amount the native community with democratic principles. The great law of peace is also recognized for helping write the American constitution. Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin were the two Iroquois who brought the idea’s from the great law of peace forward for the American constitution. http://www.bigorrin.org/iroquois_kids.htm 6 Nations Iroquois Confederacy, Haudenosaunee MOHAWKS- People of the flint How do you pronounce the word "Mohawk"? What does it mean? It's pronounced "mo-hawk." It comes from a name their Algonkian enemies used to call them, meaning "man-eaters." In their own language, the Mohawk people call themselves Kanienkehaka, which means "people of the flint.“ Were they really man-eaters? It's not clear anymore whether that name was supposed to be literal, or an insult, or just a figure of speech to show that the Mohawks were fierce. Some Mohawk people believe that in ancient times, before they joined the Iroquois Confederacy, their ancestors used to eat enemies they had killed in battle. Other Mohawks think that never really happened and cannibals were always rare and strange in Mohawk society, like they were in other cultures. Where do the Mohawks live? The Mohawks are original people of New York state. Here is our map of New York Indian tribes and the location of their original home lands. Some Mohawk people still live in New York today, but most Mohawks retreated to Canada in the 1700's. Are the Mohawks Iroquois people? Iroquois wampum belt Yes, the Mohawk Indian tribe was one of the original members of the Iroquois Confederation, or Kanonsionni in their own language ("people of the longhouse.") The other member nations were the the Seneca, the Oneida, the Cayuga, and the Onondaga. Later a sixth tribe, the Tuscarora, joined the confederacy. Today these longterm allies refer to themselves as the Haudenosaunee or Six Nations http://www.bigorrin.org/iroquois_kids.htm SENECA- People of the Mountain How do you pronounce the word "Seneca"? What does it mean? It's pronounced "SEH-neh-kah." It comes from the name of one of their villages, Osininka. In their own language, the Senecas call themselves Onandowaga, which means "people of the mountain." Where do the Seneca Indians live? The Senecas originally lived in New York state. Here is a map of Seneca and other Iroquois territory in New York. Many Seneca people still live in New York today, but others were forced to migrate to Oklahoma or Canada. Are the Seneca Iroquois people? Iroquois flag Yes, the Seneca nation was one of the original members of the Iroquois League, or Kanonsionni in their own language ("league of clans.") The other member nations were the Mohawk, the Oneida, the Cayuga, and the Onondaga. Later a sixth tribe, the Tuscarora, joined the confederacy. Today these long-term allies refer to themselves as the Haudenosaunee ("people of the longhouse") or Six Nations. This Indian nation has casinos gaming and hospitality http://www.bigorrin.org/iroquois_kids.htm ONEIDA -People of the standing stone How do you pronounce the word "Oneida"? What does it mean? It's pronounced "oh-NYE-dah." It comes from their word for themselves in their own language, Onyota'aka, which means "people of the standing stone." Where do the Oneida Indians live? The Oneida tribe originally lived in New York state. Many Oneidas still live there today, though others were forced to move to Wisconsin and Ontario, Canada. Are the Oneidas Iroquois people? Iroquois wampum belt Yes, the Oneida tribe was one of the original members of the Iroquois Confederacy, or Kanonsionni in their own language ("league of clans.") The other member nations were the Mohawk, the Seneca, the Cayuga, and the Onondaga. Later a sixth tribe, the Tuscarora, joined the confederacy. Today these long-term allies refer to themselves as the Haudenosaunee ("people of the longhouse") or Six Nations http://www.bigorrin.org/iroquois_kids.htm ONONDAGA- People of the Hill http://www.bigorrin.org/iroquois_kids.htm How do you pronounce the word "Onondaga"? What does it mean? It's pronounced "ON-on-DAH-gah." It comes from their own tribal name, Onundaga'ono, which means "people of the hill.“ Where do the Onondagas live? The Onondaga tribe originally lived in New York state. Many Onondaga people still live there today, though others fled to Ontario, Canada in the 1700's. How is the Onondaga Indian nation organized? The Onondaga nation had a tribal council chosen by the Onondaga clan mothers (matriarchs, or female leaders.) But the Onondagas were also subject to the Iroquois Great Council. Fourteen Onondaga chiefs represented their tribe's interests in the Iroquois Council. This is similar to American states which each have their own government, but are all subject to the US government. In fact, the Iroquois Confederacy was one of the examples of representative democracy used as a model by America's founding fathers. Today the Onondaga tribe lives on a reservation in New York. A reservation is land that belongs to an Indian tribe and is under their control. The Onondaga Indian tribe has its own government, laws, police, and services, just like a small country. In fact, they still have a traditional tribal council of men who are elected by Onondaga women. But the Onandagas are also US citizens and must obey American law. Other Onondaga people live on the Six Nations Reserve in Canada, which they share with members of the other Iroquois nations CAYUGA- the "people of the marsh" and "keepers of the Great Pipe"; The Cayuga Nation is a Native American tribe originally located in the Finger Lakes area of New York. The Cayuga, whose name means "people of the great swamp," were the smallest of the six tribes which formed the Iroquois Confederacy and were known as the Younger Brothers. Like other Confederacy members, they lived in villages made up of wooden longhouses which sheltered multiple families. The Cayuga Nation was divided into five clans; the Turtle, Wolf, Bear, Snipe and Heron. The clans were matrilineal, which means that a child was a member of his mother’s clan, and each clan had a Clan Mother who was responsible for the welfare of its members. Clan membership was for life, and a married man retained his birth clan membership. The women in the clan chose the clan chief and the Clan Mothers had the power to remove a chief if he was not performing his duties. Women also made decisions regarding use of the land and tribal resources and chose the Cayuga representatives to the Iroquois Council http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-cayuga-nation.htm TUSCARORA- Hemp People (Milkweed) How do you pronounce "Tuscarora"? What does it mean? It's pronounced "tuh-skuh-roar-uh." It comes from their own tribal name, Skarureh, which means "hemp people." Indian hemp, which is also called milkweed, is a plant that produces strong fibers, like cotton does. The Tuscarora used hemp to make rope, cloth for shirts, and ceremonial objects. Where do the Tuscaroras live? The Tuscarora Indians originally lived in North Carolina. But in the early 1700's, many Tuscaroras were killed or enslaved by the British during the Tuscarora War. Most of the survivors moved to New York to live with their northern relatives, the powerful Iroquois Confederacy. Most Tuscarora Indians today live in New York state or across the border in Ontario, but there are some Tuscarora people still living in the Carolinas. Are the Tuscarora Iroquois people? Iroquois flag Yes, the Tuscarora tribe became a member of the Iroquois League, or Kanonsionni in their own language ("league of clans.") The other member nations were the Mohawk, the Seneca, the Oneida, the Cayuga, and the Onondaga. The Tuscaroras were the last tribe to join the confederacy. Today these long-term allies call themselves the Haudenosaunee ("people of the longhouse") or Six Nations http://www.bigorrin.org/tuscarora_kids.ht m FAMILY UNITY WITHIN THE HOME 1700’s HOME TODAY’S RESERVATIONS 1700’s -HOME Google.com/images 1600’s - MONTREAL HAUDENOSAUNEE FIRST DWELLINGS http://questgarden.com/ FAMILY UNITY WITHIN THE HOME PAST DWELLING… http://www.youtube.com/w atch?v=ABktWm0yFPg&NR= 1 1600’s - MONTREAL Google.com/images Custom Dress in Haudenosaunee Google.com/images HAUDENOSAUNEE- GEOGRAPHY Google.com/images RELIGION Orenda permeated the universe. He created everything that is good and useful. The Evil Spirit made things that are poisonous, but the Great Spirit gained control of the world. During the seventeenth century, French Jesuit missionaries converted many of the Iroquois to Catholicism. Kateri Tekakwitha, who was baptized in 1635, became the first Native American nun.. The "Blessed Kateri" is revered at the feasts and celebrations of many Native American nations, particularly those who have incorporated Catholicism into their spiritual belief systems. In 1710 three Mohawk chiefs, along with another from the Mahicans, visited Queen Anne in England to ask for military assistance against the French and for Anglican missionaries to teach their people. As the years passed, Quakers, Baptists, Methodists, and an interdenominational Protestant group called the New York Missionary Society joined the effort of proselytizing the Iroquois. An intense rivalry developed between the pagan and Christian factions. In fact, in 1823 a group of Oneidas led by Eleazar Williams, a Mohawk from Canada who had become an Episcopalian minister, left their New York homeland and moved to Wisconsin, where they established a reservation. In 1799, amidst the Christian missionary efforts, a revival of the ancient Longhouse religion developed. A Seneca known as Handsome Lake had spent much of his life in dissolute living and fell gravely ill when he was about 65 years old. He expected to die, but instead, he experienced a profound vision and recovered. Inspired, he began to spread the Good Word among his fellow Iroquois. The New Religion was essentially a revitalization of the ancient pagan beliefs, although some Quaker influence can be detected. Major tenets of the New Religion included shunning of alcoholic beverages, abandonment of beliefs in witchcraft and love potions, and denunciation of abortion. The fact that Handsome Lake's message had come in a dream gave it a profound impact among the Haudenosaunee. The religion was instrumental in showing many Iroquois how to retain their own culture while adapting to a world dominated by non-Indians. The Longhouse religion continues to be a major spiritual focus among the Iroquois people. Some adhere solely to its practice, while others maintain a parallel membership in a Christian church Read more: Iroquois Confederacy - History, Relations with non-native americans, Key http://www.everyculture.com/multi/HaLa/Iroquois-Confederacy.html NATIVE AMERICAN WORK Google.com/images FARMING The Haudenosaunee are traditionally a farming people. Subsistence was heavily based on the growth of corn, beans and squash; the Three Sisters of Haudenosaunee legend. The agricultural base was complemented by hunting, fishing, trapping, and gathering on a seasonal basis. The Kanien’kehá:ka were extremely wealthy in the fests within their traditional territory. There are several key features of the territory that we call Kanièn:keh. To the north is the St. Lawrence River Valley, a fertile area that is well suited to agriculture. In central Kanièn:keh Territory are the Adirondack Mountains, which quite appropriate as a hunting ground. To the south lies the Mohawk River Valley, the Kanien’kehá:ka metropolis of old, another area that is well suited to agricultural pursuits. Throughout the entire territory there is an abundance of fresh water lakes and rivers. These lakes and rivers furnishes the Kanien’kehá:ka with a constant supply of fish… http://www.kahnawakelonghouse.com/index.php?mid=2 Google.com/images LEADERSHIP Chief Clan Mother CLAN MOTHER The Clan Mother is very important in the role of Haudenosaunee culture. Not only is the clan mother working with the chiefs in making decisions for the people, they also have the duty to ensure that our way of life continues. The Clan Mothers gather and sit to decide when the ceremonies will begin. Then the Clan Mothers supervise the food, and soups that are needed for each ceremony. And ceremonies cannot begin without the Clan Mothers present. Children are the future of any community and the Clan Mothers are important in raising the children. When a new baby is born, it is the Clan Mother who provides the name of the baby of her clan. It is said that the Clan Mother has a bag of names at the ready. The Clan Mothers also make sure that the children are raised in the ways and customs of the Longhouse http://www.onondaganation.org/gov/clanmothers.ht ml FOOD The animals, fish and birds provide meat, fur, skins, feathers, bones, sinew, teeth, and oils. They are part of the web of life and so help to maintain balance in the natural world. The food plants and berries provide the nutrition that people need to stay healthy. The Haudenosaunee refer to the corn, beans and squash as The Three Sisters. They are important to the Haudenosaunee diet. They also provide a lesson in cooperation. The Three Sisters can be planted separately, but when they are planted together, they help each other. That is a reminder to the humans that they can accomplish more if they work together rather than alone. http://www.iroquoismuseum.org/ve6.htm GAMES http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CU0DkF7Wy30&feature=related The Meaning of Tradition Four- Hundred year Tradition Two- row Wampum Belt Two-row Wampum Belt, created four hundred years ago to straighten things out with Dutch traders, explains a lot. The pattern, made by stringing together shell beads, consists of five rows. The top, bottom, and middle rows are white, the other two purple. The white rows represent the river of life. The purple rows represent two vessels floating on the white. In one purple row travel people of the Iroquois Confederacy in their canoes. In the other row travel Europeans in their ships. That the rows do not touch is significant. The meaning is, we know you have arrived, Europeans, and are not going away. To respect one another and live in peace, we agree to coexist, separately. ALISON OWINGS- PAGES 62-91 THE HIDDEN MESSAGE Shell beads have long had cultural significance to the Native Americans of southern New England; shell beads in the Northeast have been found which are 4500 years old. These shell beads were larger and relatively uncommon because drilling the material was difficult with stone drill bits. This earlier bead, proto-wampum, was traded within ceremonial contexts, in part for the connections of shell with water and its life giving properties http://www.nativetech.org/wampum/wamphist.htm Two-Row Wampum Belt a sign of respect "The purple lines represent the Haudenosaunee travelling in their canoe. Parallel to them, but not touching, is the path of the boat of the Europeans that came here. In our canoe is our way of life, our language, our law and our customs and traditions. And in the boat, likewise, are the European language, customs, traditions, and law. We have said, "Please don't get out of your boat and try to steer our canoe. And we won't get out of our canoe and try to steer your boat." We're going to accept each other as sovereign - we're going to travel down the river of life together, side by side." Peter Jemison- Faithkeeper, Cattaraugus Reservation, Seneca Nation Two Row Wampum Belt material scarce Not a lot of artwork is made out of real wampum these days. Why not? Well, quahog clams are endangered now, and even when people raise them on farms so that they can make beads out of them, only one or two true purple beads can be made from each shell. Not to mention that wampum beads are time-consuming to carve. A single quahog wampum bead can cost five dollars or more, and a wampum belt uses thousands of beads. There aren't a lot of Indian artists who can even afford the raw materials to start making wampum art. However, there are a few artists today who make wampum in the old way using non-quahog beads or work with whole quahog shells (both of which are less expensive options). http://www.native-languages.org/beadwork.htm The sacredness of wampum Used by many of the Eastern Woodlands tribes, wampum beads were considered sacred, some say because of the connection of shell with water and its life-giving properties. Wampum beads were woven into belts which were created to commemorate treaties or historical events, as a memory aid in retaining stories from oral traditions, and for exchange in personal social transactions such as marriages. Wampum was traded, exchanged and often worn as a badge of office or ceremonial device. The woven belts often contained pictograms, so in this sense and in its role as a story-telling device it could be thought of as a form of writing. http://woodblockdreams.blogspot.com/2010/07/wampum -for-printzero.html Works Cited (DICTIONARY.COM http://www.bigorrin.org/iroquois_kids.htm http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-cayuga-nation.htm http://www.bigorrin.org/tuscarora_kids.htm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABktWm0yFPg&NR=1 http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Ha-La/Iroquois-Confederacy.html http://www.kahnawakelonghouse.com/index.php?mid=2 Google.com/images http://www.onondaganation.org/gov/clanmothers.html http://www.iroquoismuseum.org/ve6.htm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CU0DkF7Wy30&feature=related ALISON OWINGS- PAGES 62-91 http://www.nativetech.org/wampum/wamphist.htm http://www.native-languages.org/beadwork.htm http://woodblockdreams.blogspot.com/2010/07/wampum-for-printzero.html