Iroqouis
Pre- European Contact
Geography
Large coniferous forests, with many hills and rivers. Lots of bodies of water, like the great lakes that were a part of their territory. Animals included deer, rabbits, fox, racoons, black bears, weasels, squirrels, fish such as salmon and many birds as well as lots of small rodents. There were lots of coniferous trees, and the deciduous trees would become colourful canopies in autumn. The winters were very cold and the summers were warm and humid.
The Great Lakes
The great lakes were a vital source of resources for the Iroquois and many other surrounding native groups.
Iroquois Flag
The flag of the Iroqouis Nation.
Territory
This map shows the Iroqouis land as well as many other native groups.
Daily Life
Longhouses and Marriage
The Iroquois system was matrilineal, so upon marriage the husband would move in to the wifes longhouse. The man would hunt and go to war, while the woman would do chores and take care of the kids/family. Longhouses were made of sticks, bark and logs. They could house lots of people at the same time, and often belonged to a clan, such as wolf, bear, turtle etc. The people living inside would sleep in bunk beds, and would eat many vegetables that they had harvested or meat that the man had collected.
Longhouse exterior
Could house 60-70 people
Longhouse interior
Bunk beds, and log frames visible
Villages
An Iroqouis village
Clothing and Transportation
Clothing was usually made of deerskin, and decorated with feathers, colourful beads and yarn, made into complicated but interesting patterns. They got around in canoes, kayaks, and in the wintertime they used snowshoes, made from wood and leather.
Food and Government
They would mostly eat vegetables, such as cabbage, carrots, lettuce, and the three sisters. They would store their food over in small holes in the ground, barred with sticks to prevent scavengers from getting to it, men also hunted many animals, which they cooked over a fire. The government was a chief from each clan, chosen by the female elders of the clan. The chiefs were always male, each clan had a chief that was part of a council.