Iroquois Lapbook
Because of the length of study on this topic, we have devoted two pages here on our site to this topic. This is Part II. Begin with PART I which is the background information about the Iroquois Confederacy. It is on another page.
Click here for PART I
The American Revolution ended up being a time period of civil war for the Iroquois.
In 1754 the British and the Iroquois Confederacy met and made an alliance. Britain provided the Iroquois with weapons and supplies, and the Native Americans helped the British fight against the French for control of the colonies.
Prior to 1775, the Indians had been dragged into many wars and the period prior to the American Revolution was no different. The Europeans had brought over superior weapons of destruction like guns, steel tomahawks, cannon and their diseases.
This added to the tensions that existed among the Native Americans.
After the American Revolution, the United States took over much of the Iroquois land in New York State.
The Boston Tea Party
The Mohawk Indians were a symbol of colonial resistance to British Rule and the “Mohawks” (really colonist dressed as Mohawks) sang this chant.
Rally Mohawks!
Bring out your ax and tell King George we’ll pay no taxes on his foreign tea
His threats are vain, and vain to think to force our girls and wives to drink his vile Bohea!
Then rally, boys, and hasten on
To meet our chiefs at the Green Dragon!
Our Warren’s here, and bold Revere
With hands to do and words to cheer, for liberty and laws;
Our country’s “braves” and firm defenders shall ne’er be left by true North Enders fighting freedom’s cause!
Then rally, boys, and hasten on
To meet our chiefs at the Green Dragon.
(pic above is of a colonist in native garb in front of a Mohawk silhouette with a gustoweh (hat). This hat equates to the Iroquois as a concept of freedom.)
What is a symbol? It is a picture, object or thing that stands for something else. The American Indian related to objects or things that were found in their natural environment. One is a pine tree, another is an eagle and one more is a cluster of arrows.
What are some of the symbols the founding fathers used that were adopted from the Iroquois League or Confederacy?
An eagle was one symbol that was adopted by the Founding Fathers. An eagle has good eyesight. The bald eagle is a large, powerful, brown bird with a white head and tail.
A cluster of arrows is another symbol. The symbol of the eagle and the arrows represented unity and strength just like it did for the Haudenosaunee.
Do you remember reading on the American Revolution page that the colonist were not united? So Benjamin Franklin created this well known political cartoon encouraging the Colonist to “Unite”. After they won the American Revolution, the Founding Fathers wanted symbols to show their unity so they borrowed again from the Iroquois and used the bundled arrows which symbolize “unity”.
Have you ever noticed the back of a dollar bill? The eagle on the back of a dollar bill is holding “bundled arrow” in his talon or claw.
Pine tree
The Pine Tree was a symbol of peace for the Iroquois.
The early American Patriots wove Native American symbols of liberty into their banners.
The pine tree, which is the national symbol for the Iroquois and many Native American nations in New England, was also used by the Sons of Liberty on their liberty poles, just prior to the American Revolution.
The Pine Tree Flag (or Appeal to Heaven Flag) was one of the flags used during the American Revolution.
Great Law of Peace v.The U.S. Constitution
Two Founding Documents
About The Great Law of Peace
Unifying document that brought the fighting nations together. It was created by the Iroquois Indians. While the date is controversy, it is said to have been written around 1450 A.D.
The law was recorded on Wampum Belts.
Scholars believe it The Great Law was the longest international law written at that time.
About the U.S. Constitution
Adopted in 1789.
Has two basic purposes:
1. Outline organization of 3 branches of government.
2. To define the powers of the federal and state government, ensure checks and balances on the government’s power.
Similar Characteristics of Both Founding Documents
That government should operate by a system of checks and balances.
The best government is the least government.
That leaders are public servants.
That civil and military powers are best separated.
Alliance – union of nations formed by an agreement for a purpose.
“burying the hatchet” – This phrase originated with the Haudenosaunee. Today and in the past it means that fighting should stop and that there should be peace. This phrase was used regarding the formation of the Iroquois Confederacy when literally they buried their fighting clubs under the Tree of Peace.
Clan – an extended family represented by an animal. The Haudenosaunee has 9 Clans.
Clan Mother – an elder clan woman who keeps traditional teachings, advises people, holds the chiefs’ titles and selects new chiefs.
Great Law of Peace – a set of principles that teach how people should live in peace and harmony with each other and the natural world. It also preserves the traditional teachings and the natural world for future generations.
The Great Law of Peace is one of the earliest examples of formal democratic governance structure. The Great Law of peace was known to some of the Founding Fathers and has been compared — in terms of designated authorities and balances of power — to the U.S. Constitution. The Haudenosaunee Grand Council is the oldest governmental institution still maintaining its original form in North America.
Gustoweh (ga-STOH-weh) – Fitted hat worn by the men. It was decorated by hawks, pheasant or turkey feathers. Each nation of the Haudenosaunee had a different number of feathers and position on the hat to indicate which nation they were from.
Seneca had one upright feather; Tuscarora had no feathers; Cayuga had one feather laying to the right (as your facing him); Onondaga has one upright feather and one feather laying to the right (as your facing him); Oneida had two feathers upright and one feather laying to the right (as your facing him) and the Mohawk had 3 upright feathers.
Haudenosaunee – An alliance of 6 nations also known by their English name Iroquois; Haudenosaunee means “people of the long houses”
Iroquoian Languages -The Iroquoian language group comprises over ten languages including Cayuga, Mohawk, Oneida,
Onondaga, Tuscarora and Seneca. Cherokee is also an Iroquoian language, though the Cherokee are not part of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy
Tree of Peace – When the Confederacy was formed the Leaders chose a white pine tree to symbolize their alliance. One reason for choosing this tree is because the pine needles are always found in clusters of 5. This was a symbol of the original 5 nations. Also the branches of the white pine spread out and symbolize protection or shelter for the Haudenosaunee people.
Wampum/Belts- cylinder shape beads made from Quahog and Atlantic Whelk. Wampum beads were woven into belts and strung on strings.
The Iroquois no longer live in longhouse, but they do use them for ceremonies. Many Iroquois today still follow the tradition of the Peacemaker’s traditional teachings. They are cleaning up the environment and preserving their culture.
The Iroquois hold many types of jobs. Many have become doctors, lawyers and educators. But they are still chief, clan mothers and faithkeepers. ( a spiritual advisor and keeper of traditional teachings. They also determine when ceremonies are suppose to be held.)
Homes-of-the-Past.pdf (2295 downloads)
Iroquois-Clothing.pdf (2130 downloads)
Who-are-the-Haudenosaunee.pdf (2272 downloads)
9-Clans-of-Haudenosaunee.pdf (2330 downloads)
Animals-important-to-the-Iroquois.pdf (2023 downloads)
Who-is-Hiawatha-and-Belt.pdf (2020 downloads)
The-Meaning-of-a-Name-Iroquois.pdf (1968 downloads)
From the American Indian Museum – One of the best, free and accurate educator’s resource on the Haudenosaunee.
Free Lapbook on Homeschool Share done by Jimmie based on book “If you lived with the Iroquois….”
A copy of the resolution (H. Con. Res. 331) by the Senate recognized the influence of the Iroquois on the original framers of the U.S. Constitution
Reading List from John Kahiones Fadden (great list)
How to contact Councils of the Haudenosaunee
Books we have liked so far.
Hiawatha by Nancy Bonvillian
Online reading and we have a hard copy too – Forgotten Founders by Bruce E. Johansen
Keepers of the Animals Native American Stories and Wildlife Activities for Children byMichael J. Caduto and Joseph Bruchac
We studied about American Revolution, Colonial and Iroquois together. Some pictures here and some on the American Revolution Page.
{Kelley had an idea of decorating the tables with beans and vegetables and adding some teapots from the Colonial times}
{The boys helped and we used silhouettes to glue on the banner along with some of the clipart we used on this page.}
{some of the lapbooks done the co-op}
Hi Tina,
Thank you so very much for this lapbook. I am using it now with my boys as we work through American History. We are taking time to study the Native Americans who lived in each region and are really enjoying the lapbook materials. I am having trouble figuring out the circle book for the “animals important to the Iroquois.” Will you please explain to me how that one works?
Hey Emily,
Glad to have you here. That is like a fan book. You fold it up until it it the shape of the “pie slice cover”. I do have instructions on the download. After you unfold it, it looks like a circle…
I am very excited for finding this fabulous lapbook for our daughter. We will be heading to upstate N.Y. they have an Iroquois Indian Museum. Weaver been looking for a lapbook to go with the museum visit
Jessica recently posted…Ancient Civilization History Living Books
Hi Jessica,
This is a fascinating topic and this lapbook was so detailed for us and so happy that you will be able to use the information from it.
Sounds like a great opportunity!!
Hi!, I recently came across your website today and im really enjoy your lesson on Iroquoian Lapbook. I haven’t looked at another pieces and I am intrigued on this piece. I will explore your website later today.
I am Iroquoian, more specifically, I am Mohawk from the Kahnawake community. I teacher grade 4,5,6 and this would be perfect to incorporate as my lesson plans for the month of April in on our culture (Iroquoian).
Thanks for the printouts, ideas, and knowledge.
Keep it up!!
Hi Lauren,
We loved learning about the Iroquois and trying to learn the correct way instead of generic way of understanding a culture. So EXCITED that you are here and are Mohawk and a teacher!!
Love having you here and hope your kids will enjoy this study!!
You are so welcome for it!