Native Americans of New York State The Iroquois Nation Native Americans of New York State

The Five Tribes of the Iroquois Nation Mohawk Onondaga Oneida Cayuga Seneca A sixth tribe, the Tuscarora, were later added.

Where do they live? The Iroquois are found in the Northeast, mainly in the woodlands of New York State.

The Iroquois Confederacy The Iroquois Confederacy was governed by a Great Council, where they agreed on political decisions by discussion and voting, similar to our congress today. There were between 8 and 14 leaders on the council, called chiefs. These chiefs were actually elected by clan mothers, making the Iroquois unique by giving voting rights to women.

Deganawida The Iroquois tribes were united by a leader named Deganawida. He would later be known as the “Great Peacemaker”

Gender Roles Iroquois men were in charge of hunting, trading and war. Chiefs made military decisions and trade agreements. Iroquois women were in charge of farming, caring for and owning the property, and family. Women made all land decisions and were clan leaders.

Iroquois Children Iroquois boys and girls had many chores to do, but they also had fun toys and games. Cornhusk dolls were popular with girls. Games like darts and lacrosse were popular with boys.

Iroquois Homes Iroquois lived in villages made up of longhouses. Longhouses were almost 150 feet long, and would house an entire clan, sometimes as many as 60 people. Longhouses were made of wood and covered with elm bark.

Land Rich in Resources Forests Animals Lakes Rivers Oceans Fertile soil Crops Plants

Iroquois Clothing Iroquois men wore breechcloths with long leggings. Iroquois women wore wraparound skirts with shorter leggings. Men did not originally wear shirts in Iroquois culture, but women often wore a tunic called an overdress. Iroquois people also wore moccasins on their feet and heavy robes in winter. They wore clothes made from animal skins with the fur still on called pelts. They also used wild grasses to make skirts for women.

Iroquois Diet The Iroquois were agricultural Iroquois Diet The Iroquois were agricultural. This means they farmed as well as hunted. Men also hunted for deer, rabbit, and elk, as well as fished. Three main crops were: corn, beans, and squash. These were known as the “three sisters”.

Iroquois Culture Tools: Hunters used bow and arrows to hunt, hand axes and knives were made from wood, flint, and bone. Arts and Crafts: The Iroquois were known for carving beautiful tribal masks and rattles. They also created beadwork and wampum belts out of shell beads. Wampum was used as currency. Music: Drums and flutes were the two most important instruments for Iroquois. Drums would be filled with water to create a special sound.

Iroquois Culture The Iroquois respected nature and animals. They often passed down their culture through song, dance, and storytelling. The Iroquois were fierce warriors. They made craddleboards to carry their babies in.

Iroquois Religion and Beliefs Dances showed their respect for nature. Sacred dancing ceremony was the Rabbit Dance. The Iroquois believed in many spirit forces created by a supreme being. There were Sky Spirits like the wind, sun, moon and stars and the Earth Spirits like animals and plants.  They also believed that anything they dreamed had to happen.  The Iroquois held six big festivals each year. Each festival lasted several days and included dance and music.  Each village had a special longhouse where ceremonies were held. The most sacred traditions to the Iroquois were the rituals involving the false faces or medicine masks.