Six Nations History

Haudenosaunee (People of the Longhouse)

Welcome

She:kon (Hello)!

We're glad you're here to be a part of our story.

This page is dedicated to our Six Nations (Iroquois) history and culture.

The Six Nations consists of the Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Mohawk, and Tuscarora tribes.

We have a long history with this land and its settlers. Our nations lived in present day up-state New York in the United States, but many relocated and settled throughout Ontario, Canada due to the colonial wars and alliances after settlers arrived.

“Canada” is said to come from an Iroquois word “kanata” meaning “village” or “settlement”.

For more information and history check out my blog posts below

Storytelling

Our culture is forged strongly through oral traditions and teachings. Storytelling is a central part of learning about our history, beliefs, and laws as Haudenosaunee people.

Many stories, legends, and myths in our culture have a deeper lesson in them which can teach us about behavior, values, and the natural ways of life as Haudenosaunee.

There is strength in being able to just sit and listen. It gives you a chance to truly comprehend ideas and stories.

I urge you to read this page with an open mind and an eagerness for knowledge and understanding.

It will be covering many topics and stories throughout our history and culture.

Nia:wen (Thank you)

The Hiawatha Belt (pictured above) contains great significance for our nations. This wampum belt was created at the beginning of our confederacy of peace.

Wampum beads were crafted from Quahogs (hard-shelled clams), which were found in shallow bays and along the rivers. They naturally contained the unique purple and white colors you see in our belts.

Wampum was often used to send messages between the nations, and these belts usually signified agreements or a record of our history. Many were created long before European settlers arrived.

The Hiawatha belt signifies the coming together of five nations; the Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, and Mohawk tribes, who were once at war with one another. The Tuscarora nation was later accepted into the Iroquois Confederacy, now being known as the Six Nations.

The tree depicted in the middle of this belt represents the 'Tree of Peace', a great white pine that was uprooted by the Peacemaker. This tree is where leaders of the nations buried their weapons of war, hatred and jealousy beneath its roots and moved forward together on a journey of peace.

Our nations were originally settled throughout present day New York State.

(pictured below is the historic and current map of our nations)

Wampum belts are read in the direction of the Sun, east to west.

The first nation on the Hiawatha belt from the east (or right to left) and the first nation to accept the message of peace were the Mohawks, the People of the Flint, and the 'Eastern Doorkeepers'. Anyone willing to enter the lands of the Haudenosaunee from the east must seek permission from the Mohawks first. There are 9 chiefs sitting in the Mohawk Council.

The next symbol represents the council fire of the Oneida, the People of the Standing Stone. There are 9 chiefs sitting in the Oneida Council.

The third symbol (the tree) represents Onondaga, the People of the Hills. Since Onondaga lies in the middle of the peace, the Peacemaker also titled them the Firekeepers of the Haudenosaunee. The Onondaga are entrusted to keep the council fire burning for the confederacy to come and meet. This is often referred to as the fire that never dies. There are 14 chiefs sitting in the Onondaga Council.

The fourth symbol is that of the council fire of the Cayuga, the People of the Swamp. There are 10 chiefs sitting in the Cayuga Council.

The fifth symbol belongs to the council fire of the Seneca, the People of the Great Hill. The Seneca Nation is the 'Western Doorkeeper' of our common longhouse. Like the Mohawks, if anyone wishes to enter the territory of the Haudenosaunee from the west, they must seek permission from the Seneca first. There are 8 chiefs sitting in the Seneca Council.

Together all five symbols unite to make the Hiawatha Belt.

When there is a meeting of the confederacy, the Hiawatha Belt is present to remind the leaders to maintain the peace and to make decisions for today and future generations.

The Iroquois Confederacy is one of the oldest living participatory democracies in the world, consisting of a council of 50 chiefs, represented by 8 to 14 members from each of the five nations. Tuscarora was not originally included in the design, as they joined the confederacy later.

Pictured to the right is the Circle Wampum.

The strands of wampum represent the Grand Council of the 50 chiefs. Each chief being equal and united. The one longer strand represents Tadodaho, an Onondaga chief given the responsibility to make sure that decisions are made with a good mind, and were aligned for the future seven generations.

The chiefs are said to be holding hands creating a large circle. Inside of the circle are the ways of the Haudenosaunee. The language, ceremonies, culture, and the way of life for our people. The people inside of this circle follow the ways set down from the Creator. It is the responsibility of the chiefs to protect and continue the ways of the Haudenosaunee.