Iroquois History and Legends

The Five Nations of the Iroquois were locked in centuries of war, revenge killings, hate and cannibalism. Then a mysterious Huron man appeared on a quest to unite the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga and Seneca peoples together under the Great Law of Peace.  This would become the Iroquois Confederacy.  A Native American government with equal rights and a representative government that left Europeans in bewilderment. These are the histories and legends of the Haudenosaunee.  The People of the Longhouse.   Sources- Iroquoia: The Development of a Native World (The Iroquois and Their Neighbors) 2005 by William Engelbrecht Seneca Myths and Folk Tales by Arthur C. Parker Kayanlaˀ Kówa – Great Law of Peace -The Peace Maker & Hiawatha - Traditional Haudenosaunee oral history.

We explore the mechanics of the Iroquois Councils.  A system of protocols, title offices and a separation of powers that has been followed for centuries.   Sources- Iroquoia: The Development of a Native World (The Iroquois and Their Neighbors)  2005 by William Engelbrecht GAYANASHAGOWA (Great Law of Peace) - Haudenosaunee Constitution attributed to Dekanawidah the Peacemaker

The Six Nations are further broken down into clans.  Clans are represented by certain animals.  The purpose is not to divide a nation but in fact to bring about unity and help in times of mourning.  Join us as we learn how clans were a benefit to everyone in Iroquoia. Sources- How the Clans were Chosen - Oneida Nation Oral History Iroquoia: The Development of a Native World: Iroquois & Their Neighbors by William Engelbrecht and Caleb Rector GAYANASHAGOWA (The Great Law of Peace) - Haudenosaunee Constitiution

The Three Sisters are Corn, Beans and Squash.  Not only are they well balanced varieties of vegetables they also work together in symbiosis.  We discuss agriculture, food gathering and storage.  Sources- Iroquois Uses of Maize and Other Food Plants by Arthur C. Parker Iroquoia: The Development of a Native World: Iroquois & Their Neighbors by William Engelbrecht & Caleb Rector Skywoman: Legends of the Iroquois by Joanne Shenandoah

Pastimes that people do on the weekends was a way of life for the people of the Eastern Woodlands.  Learn about the animals that were vital to the way of life in all Iroquoia. Today we will talk about deer drives, fishing, beaver trapping and .... bear raising? Sources- Voyages de la Nouvelle France by Samuel de Champlain Iroquoia: The Development of a Native World: Iroquois & Their Neighbors by William Engelbrecht and Caleb Rector Iroquois Uses of Maize and Other Food Plants by Arthur C. Parker 1491: NEW REVELATIONS OF THE AMERICAS BEFORE COLUMBUS BY CHARLES MANN

The Six Nations were not alone on the continent. There were many other nationalities that inhabited the north eastern woodlands. This week we will talk about where the Huron, Erie, Neutrals, Susquehannock, Mahican, Delaware and other nations lived at the time of first contact with the Europeans.   Sources- Iroquoia: The Development of a Native World by William Engelbrecht and Caleb Rector IROQUOIS DIPLOMACY ON THE EARLY AMERICAN FRONTIER BY TIMOTHY J. SHANNON 1491: NEW REVELATIONS OF THE AMERICAS BEFORE COLUMBUS BY CHARLES MANN