Objective: To examine the culture of the tribes of the Eastern Woodlands.

Peoples of the Eastern Woodlands The people of the Eastern Woodlands hunted animals such as deer and moose. They also planted crops such as corn, squash, and pumpkins. (above) Iroquois women grinding corn or dried berries. 1664 engraving (left) Iroquois hunter, 1950

The Iroquois live in present-day New York State. The League of the Iroquois The Iroquois live in present-day New York State.

Housing: They lived in long houses, which were about 150 feet long, 20 feet wide, and made of poles sided with bark.

Many families lived in a single long house. While each family stayed in their own room, they shared a fireplace in the hallway.

Iroquois man in traditional clothing near a reconstructed longhouse.

Iroquois Longhouse Interior, Gonondagan State Historical Site Victor, New York

Role of Women: The Iroquois were a matriarchal society, or a society that is run by women. Women owned all of the property in the long house. They were also in charge of farming. Iroquois men moved into the homes of his wife’s family.

Iroquois women chose the sachems, or tribal chiefs. "King Hendrick" "Thoyanoguen" by Calvin Ashley, Jr. 58.4 x 46.7cm This watercolor portrays the hereditary Sachem of the Iroquois Confederacy and Chief of the Mohawk Nation, King Hendrick. As can best be determined, Hendrick was born between 1680 and 1690 and died during battle with the French in 1755.

C O S M ayuga nondaga eneca ohawk neida Formation of the League: The League of the Iroquois was originally made up of five nations. C O S M ayuga nondaga eneca "Hiawatha's Belt" was composed of five figures. In the center was what some have described as a heart, to others it was a great or sacred tree under which the Iroquois met in council. The five devices represent the five original tribes. ohawk neida

The five nations fought frequently. Mohawk leader Hiawatha, inspired by the religious leader Dekanawida, organized the five nations into a peaceful alliance known as the League of the Iroquois. Alliance - a union between nations for assistance and protection A statue of Hiawatha stands in Ironwood, Michigan. Hiawatha helped Dekanawida unite the people of the five Iroquois nations

Iroquois Government: Each nation had one vote. A council of 50 members, chosen by women, made decisions for the League. Each nation had one vote. All of the nations had to agree before any action could be taken. This is a meeting of the Iroquois Six Nations Council. Note the flags symbolizing the many clans among these tribes. Ontario Canada, 1914

Chief Frank McDonald Jacobs is wearing a wampum belt showing the unity of the original five Iroquois nations with linked squares representing the nations and their ties to each other. Ontario, Canada, 1914.

“We have gone back to ancient history for models of Gov- The Iroquois' constitution -- called the Great Law of Peace -- guaranteed freedom of religion and expression as well as other rights later included in the U.S. Constitution. “We have gone back to ancient history for models of Gov- ernment, and examined different forms of those Republics which having been formed with the seeds of their own dissolution now no longer exist. And we have viewed Modern States all round Europe, but find none none of their Constitutions suitable to our circumstances”.                --Benjamin Franklin      at the Constitutional      Convention, June 28, 1787