Native Americans In North America
Iroquois Location= NE U.S and E Canada Most Powerful of all native groups living in the U.S Coordinated the Iroquois Confederation
Iroquois Longhouse Iroquois nation 1914
Iroquois Confederation Completed by 1525 Protects the 6 groups within the league Included a Great Binding Law AKA the Iroquois Constitution Oldest formal government known in the United States
The 5 nations of the Iroquois Confederation “Older Brothers”= Mohawks and Senecas “Younger Brothers”= Cayugas and Oneidas “Keepers of the Council Fire”= Onangagas “junior member”= Tuscarora (1722)
Representation Council of Fifty= made up by chiefs from each of the 5 tribes Clan mothers appoint council members Great deeds elevated men to higher ranks to offer input in Council matters Clan membership not equal Each tribe has veto power
Rules of Council “one heart, one mind, one law” Works on consensus Any delegate can bring up matter for discussion
Faith Keepers = Onangagas Keep Wampum Wampum = unique to the NE Native Americans Way to record and send messages Purple and white beads woven into messages
Ne Gayaneshagowa Iroquois Confederation’s Constitution Similar to U.S Constitution 1.Both provide for a federal government 2.Has internal sovereignty 3.Very detailed and defines roles of members and non-members
Control of great lakes=great wealth
European Contact League fought Europeans for control of fur trade Traded fur with Dutch (beaver) in exchange for weapons Weapons made Iroquois nation supreme to other Indian nations
Beaver Wars early 1600’s Iroquois killed beaver population Decided to expand into other nations This conflicted with European motives Wars broke out
Joseph Bryant “Theyendenaegea” Famous Mohawk tribal leader Fought in French-Indian war under Sir William Johnson Fought in Pontiac’s Rebellion Was for British in American Revolution Established reservations in Canada Translated Book of Common Prayer and Gospel of Mark into Mohawk language
Joseph Bryant Same Person?