Iroquois Constitution

The combined tribe known as the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma that is currently located near the four-state area, consists of members who survived throughout the rough journeys, such as the Trail of Tears, which the majority of Indians went through. These Indians were once a part of the Iroquois Confederacy, which originated from New York State. Later, these tribes united in Oklahoma, also known as “Indian Territory”, after the nineteenth century war, between the States.

The Anasazi and the Iroquois Confederacy were similar, however they were also different in many ways. The Anasazi began building communities in the southwest, specifically New Mexico and Arizona approximately 700 years before Columbus’s arrival. On the other hand, the Iroquois Confederacy originated in the Northeast and consisted of five tribes: the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas. Both groups of Native Americans were ruled by leaders, however it is mentioned that the tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy were sometimes ruled by women. In addition, both groups had main communities: the Anasazi’s community being in Chaco Canyon and the Iroquois Confederacy’s main community being near modern day Syracuse NY. The homes created by

United States Americans have always learned about the constitution, but they don’t know everything about it. What most people don’t know is that the U.S Constitution is based off the Iroquois Constitution. The Iroquois is a group of Indians that were having conflict between their five nations; because of this they created a constitution to unite and give structure to their nations. Their constitution is mostly different than the U.S. Constitution, but there are a few similarities between the two.

     The Constitutions of both the Iroquois and the United States have similarities and differences between them. The Iroquois constitution came earlier in history than the U.S one did. Some of the same ideas that were in the Iroquois’ constitution were carried over to some of the ideas that we use in our government today. In this paper I will compare and contrast these ideas as they relate with one another. Ideas like Vito Power, When a Leader Gets Sick, 3 Branches of Government, A Bicameral Legislature, and impeachment are portrayed in both of these constitutions.

Foundations of the American legislature, executive veto power, and the Bill of Rights are all found in the Iroquois Great Law of Peace.

William Bradford and Dekanawida were similar in many ways. Both were leaders in history, and used their skills to unite people. Bradford helped organize and govern the Plymouth Colony. Dekanawida organized and united five tribes through the Iroquois Constitution. Although they belonged to do very different cultures and societies, they had many similarities. Bradford and Dekanawida shared a common philosophy, rulemaking process, and belief in destiny.

He still remains to be an important man for the Native Americans. For example, a symbol of his legacy is the Hiawatha Belt, which represents the five united tribes. Hiawatha also has a strong legacy among the United States. The Iroquois had a government that inspired the United States and the Constitution of the United States of America has many Iroquois features. The idea that the United States borrowed during the early days of the nation was the Iroquois government. The Iroquois had representatives from all the tribes on important decisions among themselves. The United States has representatives from all fifty states for significant conflicts for the country. Most historians believe that the Iroquois Confederacy was one of the earliest democracies in the world, and the Iroquois influence the United States as they borrowed many ideas from the Iroquois. Hiawatha has a legacy of creating one of the first democracies in

1). The reason for the construction of the Iroquois confederacy, or the league of the Iroquois, (Haudenosaunee) was the impeding factor of disunity between the tribes. Hienwatha, a Mohawk Iroquois, lived in Ontario and observed the disunity between the Iroquois tribes. In an attempt to unify the nations, he approached rival tribes and argued the benefits of unification. Initially, his idea is shut down by the elders of each tribe. The changing climate that started to occur, however, increased confrontations between tribes. Hienwatha yet again tries to explain to the Iroquois people about the possibility of peace and is rejected again. He then alludes the nations to a weaved belt of wampum shells which supposedly illustrated the connectedness of the five Iroquois nations. He traveled among the nations, of which all then supported the idea of unity, and was able to form a seemingly impenetrable force.

This system, it is said, was an important influence for the founding fathers of the United States. However, what came out of the United States Constitution was a federation with a far stronger central government. The government could control all kinds of trade within each state, settle civil and social matters, as well as all the international affairs that the Iroquois league managed. This wide array of federal government powers strays from the clearly defined lines of the Iroquois League.

Theses people were chosen for this role because of their accomplishments. Clan mother also have an important role in the Confederacy. They are the ones who choose the clan chiefs, own the house and the land. They also have the right to remove a chief from his position in the government. The reasons for this is that the male might have committed a serious crime, not attending a Grand Council meeting, to listening to or representing his people's views, Not obeying the Great Law of Peace, or not thinking of his peoples well-being while making decisions for them.

The League of the Iroquois is a historic confederacy comprised of the Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Mohawk, and later the Tuscarora tribes. Coming with the message of peace, Deganawida tried to convince the tribes to become “one mind, one heart, one law.” He saw the advantages of coming together as a united people and the foolishness of the constant infighting. Upon the formation of the league, the Mohawk chief Hiawatha made strings of wampum as a symbol that became significant in diplomatic meetings and treaties.

The Iroquois League, with the name ¨Iroquois¨ given from the French, were a Confederacy of tribes. They reside in the northeast part of America, with six tribes in that area: the first five of the tribes being the Cayuga, Onondaga, Mohawk, Seneca, and Oneida, with the sixth tribe, Tuscarora, joining later joining the Iroquois League. In Iroquois, each tribe represents their own local government with their respective, elected chiefs. Whenever these chiefs need to consult in regards of major issues for the Five Nations at the time, they would attend the meeting called the Iroquois Council. The tribes from a larger village dwell in longhouses, which were long, rectangular houses made of wood, with some being a bit over one hundred feet. There

People who spoke the language Athapaskan settled in Alaska and Northwestern Canada in 7000 B.C.E.

Throughout the semester we have read several articles about none other than American Indians and their history. We have learned that Native American tribal governments are an integral part of the political fabric of the United States. As the Supreme Court of the United States determined in its 1831 decision in Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (5 Peters) tribal governments are not states in a constitutional sense, neither are they foreign states, at least for purposes of Article III original jurisdiction. Instead, they are domestic dependent nations, with many sovereign powers maintained from the pre-contact period. As tribal governments have grown in political and economic power, the Supreme Court.

In both the Iroquois Constitution and the Crahan Family, abiding by the rules is crucial to maintaining a happy family or confederacy. These rules are set in place to keep peace and happiness amongst everyone. These rules are enforced by my parents, and followed by my two brothers and I. For example, if I infringe on being respectful, I will get grounded. Similar to the Crahan family, the Iroquois Constitution has important rules or ways of life as well. These morals of life consist of peace, honesty, justice, faith and gratitude. The Iroquois Constitution’s faith relates to Joseph Campbell, a renowned mythologist, and his four functions of myth through their relationship with God. The Iroquois Constitution includes the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca tribes. If others desire to join the confederacy, they must exercise those morals and their “hearts shall be filled with peace and goodwill” (Iroquois, 29). Similar to the Iroquois Constitution, the Crahan family has rules you should follow; such as being respectful, owning up to our actions, and trying our best in all our endeavors.