Indigenous North American Philosophy and the Iroquois Constitution

Details

For this month’s session, we will examine the spiritual beliefs and ritual observances of several Indigenous North American tribes located in the cultural and geographic area of the Eastern Woodlands. We will also look at the founding document—originally an oral constitution—of the Iroquois Confederacy.

Background

Before and during the colonial era, two of the most prominent language groups in the Eastern Woodlands were the Iroquoian and Algonquian. Iroquoian-speaking tribes included the Five Nations that comprised the Confederacy in the northeast, while another Iroquoian-speaking tribe, the Cherokee, was located in the southeast. Among Algonquian tribes were the Fox, Penobscot, Delaware, and Menominee, generally found along the Atlantic coast or the Great Lakes. A Siouan tribe, the Winnebago, also dwelled along the Great Lakes.

Formed by around 1450 CE or possibly earlier, the Iroquois Confederacy became a major political power in the northeast, wielding significant influence over both their Indigenous and colonial neighbors up until the era following the American Revolution. They called themselves the Haudenosaunee, or “People of the Long House.”

A notable aspect of the Haudenosaunee political system was the importance of roles accorded to women. In this matrilineal society, women headed families, chose representative chiefs who were men to the Council of nations, and owned the land and property of their maternal clan.

Involving features of (quasi) representative democracy alongside aristocratic or oligarchic elements, the Haudenosaunee system was a mixed government. The founding goal of the Confederacy was to cast peace over the land, though the Haudenosaunee were nevertheless redoubtable in war.

Beliefs

Eastern Woodlands tribes described in their stories a world enspirited by beings, human and non-human, that were capable of feats of magic and transformation. These animistic beliefs shaped a philosophy of thanksgiving that harkened back to the origin of the world, as well as gave rise to belief in control over the future, particularly in regard to how an individual might respond to dreams. To these beliefs the notion of “medicine” was central.

Another important concept we encounter is that of manitou, from an Algonquian word meaning “supernatural being, god, spirit,” and comparable to the Iroquoian orenda or animating spiritual power. Sometimes styled Great Manitou, this agency—or agencies—in the universe warranted ritual reverence on the parts of individuals and communities.

Readings

The Great Law of Peace or Haudenosaunee Constitution, plus the founding legend that precedes it, at Internet Archive, book pages 14-60 (pp. 20-72 on the IA reader).

2. Selections from Native North American Spirituality of the Eastern Woodlands, ed. Tooker:
Intro, pp. 1-30; Ch. 1, pp. 31-68; Ch. 2, pp. 69-85, 89-100; Ch. 3, pp. 104-109, 119 (“Speech before the Fires”), 121-124 (“Final Speech” and “Purpose of the Big House Ceremony”); Ch. 5, pp. 144-157; Ch. 6, pp. 164-216; Ch. 8, pp. 268-281. 180 pages total.

Physical copies of the Tooker book can be found at Amazon and other online sellers (Abe, Thrift, eBay).

An ebook can be purchased here.

The book can also be “borrowed” online by creating a free account at Internet Archive.

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