Iroquois

The Haudenosaunee Confederacy is a powerful group of Native American peoples. They live in northeast North America. Many people call them the Iroquois. This name was used by European colonists. Some scholars think "Iroquois" might be a name used by their enemies. The people prefer the name Haudenosaunee. This term means "People of the Longhouse."

It refers to their tradition of living in large, extended houses. Another name they use is Ganonsyoni. This means "The Lodge Extended Lengthwise." It shows they view their confederacy as one large family living under one roof.

The Confederacy operates through a structured political system. It is governed by a Grand Council. This council consists of fifty chiefs, also known as sachems. Each chief represents a specific clan within a nation. The entire system is based on the Great Law of Peace. This law was established by leaders like Deganawidah, known as the Great Peacemaker. He worked with Hiawatha and Jigonsaseh, called the Mother of Nations. Together, they created a way for different nations to live in harmony.

Originally, the Confederacy was known as the Five Nations. These nations were the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca. They were arranged from east to west. The Mohawk were the "Keepers of the Western Door." The Onondaga served as the "Fire Keepers." In 1722, the Tuscarora people joined the group. They moved north from the Carolinas after a conflict with white settlers. This addition turned the Five Nations into the Six Nations.

Historians debate when the Confederacy was first formed. Some research suggests it began as early as 1142. Other scholars estimate the date was between 1450 and 1660. For nearly 200 years, the Six Nations were a major power in North America. They influenced colonial policy between European powers. They used the French, Dutch, and English for their own goals. This is sometimes called the "Middle Ground." They were very successful in the lucrative fur trade.

At its peak around 1700, Iroquoian influence was massive. Their territory covered much of what is now New York State. It extended north into Ontario and Quebec along the Great Lakes. Their lands reached south into Virginia, Kentucky, and the Ohio Valley.

While the Haudenosaunee were a unified political force, they were not the only Iroquoian speakers. Other groups like the Wyandot, Erie, and Susquehannock also spoke Iroquoian languages. However, these groups were often competitors or enemies of the Confederacy.

Significant changes occurred during the American Revolution. The League faced internal division during this time. The different nations held conflicting views on how to help the British Crown. This disagreement caused the political Confederacy to dissolve. After the British defeat, the Crown gave away Iroquois land without asking them. Many people had to leave their homes in the Mohawk Valley. They relocated to northern lands held by the British.

Some Iroquois stayed in the United States and lived on reservations.

Today, the Haudenosaunee people remain a large and vibrant community. They live in both the United States and Canada. In 2010, there were over 81,000 enrolled Six Nations people in the United States. In Canada, there were more than 45,000 enrolled people. They continue to maintain their unique identity and culture. The Grand Council, or the Iroquois League, still exists as a ceremonial and cultural institution. They continue to honor the history of the longhouse and the Great Law of Peace.