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Native American Government and Community

Anything
Grade 4
English

Native American Government and Community

Native American Government and Community

Reading Passage: Governing the Nations

Long before European settlers arrived in what is now New York State, Native American nations had complex ways of organizing their lives. The Haudenosaunee (hoe-dee-no-SHOW-nee), also known as the Iroquois, created a powerful system to live together in peace.
A community is a place where people live, work, and play together. For the Haudenosaunee, the center of their community was the Longhouse. A Longhouse was a large building made of wood and bark where many families lived together. Because they shared one home, they had to learn how to cooperate and respect one another.
A traditional Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) longhouse reconstruction showing the bark-covered structure used for communal living.
A traditional Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) longhouse reconstruction showing the bark-covered structure used for communal living.

To keep order and make decisions, these nations formed a government. A government is a group of people that have the power to rule in a territory according to the law. There are many different types of government in the world. Some are ruled by one leader, but the Haudenosaunee Government was a "Confederacy." This means that six different nations (the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora) joined together to follow the same rules, known as the Great Law of Peace.
Each nation was divided into smaller groups called a Clan. A Clan is a group of families that are related to one another. Each clan was led by a Clan Mother. The Clan Mothers chose the male leaders, called Sachems, to represent the people. These Sachems would meet at a Grand Council to talk about important issues like war, peace, and trade. This system allowed everyone's voice to be heard through their representatives.
The Hiawatha Belt, a wampum belt symbolizing the unity and government of the five original nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.
The Hiawatha Belt, a wampum belt symbolizing the unity and government of the five original nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.



Activity 1: Vocabulary Match

Instructions: Draw a line to match each vocabulary word on the left with its correct definition on the right.
Word
Definition
1. Government
A. A place where people live, work, and play together.
2. Community
B. A chief or leader chosen by Clan Mothers.
3. Longhouse
C. A group of people with the power to rule according to law.
4. Clan
D. A large communal home and symbol of unity.
5. Sachem
E. A group of families related to one another.

Activity 2: Check Your Understanding

Instructions: Circle the best answer for each question below.
1. What was the central building of a Haudenosaunee community? a) A small tent b) A stone castle c) A longhouse d) A skyscraper
2. Who was responsible for choosing the Sachems (leaders)? a) The Clan Mothers b) A King from far away c) The children of the village d) A group of explorers
3. What is the primary purpose of a government? a) To decide what games people play b) To help people build individual houses c) To have the power to rule and make laws for a territory d) To move to a different territory every year

Activity 3: Thinking Deeper

Instructions: Use the reading passage to answer the following questions in complete sentences.
1. Explain how the Haudenosaunee Government (The Confederacy) helped different nations stay at peace.

2. Why was the Longhouse an important symbol for how the community was organized?

3. How does a Sachem get their power to lead?