Clan Systems

Clan system and responsibilities Anisihnaabe-Dodems (7 Clans) Crane Clan Loon Clan Bear Clan Deer/Hoof Clan Bird Clan Marten Clan (Otter & Beaver) Fish Clan Haudenosaunee- 9 Clans Bear Snipe Hawk Deer Wolf Turtle Beaver Heron Eel

Haudenosaunee (People of the Long House)- 9 Clans

Haudenosaunee-Iroquois Confederacy Tuscarora’s joined after the confederacy was developed and voice their concerns through the Cayuga’s

Clan Systems The Clan System for most Indigenous cultures was traditionally a form of governance for the people.  Every clan had their own roles and purpose that pertained to the greater good of the entire community.  Among the Haudenosaunee are groups of people who come together as families called clan. Each member of a clan is considered a relative regardless of which nation they belong to. The women are life givers and were given the important responsibility of carrying on the clans and the citizenship of the Haudenosaunee. The clans are represented by birds and animals and are divided into the three elements: water, land and air. The bear, wolf and deer represent the land element, the turtle, eel and beaver represent the water element and the snipe, hawk and heron represent the air element.

Clan Mothers The clan mother has an important role. Some of her responsibilities are to: Make all the major decisions that affect the clan. Assign names to people in her clan. The clan mothers are responsible for appointing the chiefs on the peoples’ behalf. The clan mothers are the leaders when it came to voicing opinions of the people. They have the first and last say as to what the Chiefs do to help the people. The clan mothers are also responsible for informing and listening to the men, women and children in their respective clan families. They are counselors for the people. If the people have a problem they can always go to the clan mothers for advice or knowledge. The clan mothers are the backbone of the Iroquois people.

Outside Activity Which clan do you relate to and why? You will pick a name of a friend and pick a clan that relates to their character