The Haudenosaunee are more commonly known as the Iroquois. Haudenosaunee means “People of the Longhouse.” The Iroquois Confederacy is comprised of five nations, with one added later. The original five nations of the Iroquois are the Cayuga, Seneca, Mohawk, Oneida, and Onondaga, who agreed to the Great Law of Peace in the 14th century. The sixth nation, the Tuscaroratribe, was added in 1722. Learn more about the Iroquois at bigorrin.org.
The Iroquois originally inhabited land around Lakes Ontario, Erie, and Huron in the present-day states of New York and Pennsylvania as well as Ontario, Canada.
History of the Iroquois Confederacy
Hiawatha and the Peacemaker, link to read for free at archive.org
“Born of Mohawk and Cayuga descent, music legend Robbie Robertson learned the story of Hiawatha and his spiritual guide, the Peacemaker, as part of the Iroquois oral tradition…Hiawatha was a strong and articulate warrior and so was chosen to bring this new message of unity to the warring nations during the 14th century before Europeans arrived in North America…This message not only succeeded in uniting the tribes but also forever changed how the Iroquois governed themselves—a blueprint for democracy that would later inspire the authors of the US Constitution.” (from the publisher)
We enjoyed the book and the song on the accompanying CD!
A Peacemaker for Warring Nations
“In A Peacemaker for Warring Nations, renowned Native author Joseph Bruchac draws from the teachings of both contemporary and past Iroquois tradition bearers in telling the inspiring story of how “the Peacemaker,” a divine messenger sent by the Creator, helped to bring reconciliation to warring nations. The book is beautifully and accurately illustrated by David Kanietakeron Fadden, a respected Mohawk artist whose work honors his deep indigenous roots.” (from the publisher)
This is a longer picture book with beautiful illustrations, recommended for ages 10 to 14.
Legends and Tales
Owl Eyes, link to read it for free at archive.org
This is a Mohawk legend about the creation of animals. My kids found Owl’s meddling and subsequent consequences hilarious.
“Raweno, Master of all Spirits and Everything-Maker, made the world and everything in it, but nothing gave him quite so much trouble as Owl! This retelling of a traditional Kanienke-haka (Mohawk) creation legend will have readers of all ages laughing at the irrepressible but indecisive bird.” (from the publisher)
The author is of Kanienkehaka heritage and the illustrator has studied both the Blackfeet and Sioux languages.
Turtle’s Race with Beaver, Seneca Legend, link to read it for free at archive.org
This is a Seneca Legend about the feud between Beaver and Turtle. Father and son authors, Joseph and James Bruchac, are of Abenaki heritage.
“Turtle lives in a beautiful little pond with everything a happy turtle needs. But one spring, Turtle awakes from hibernation to discover that her lovely home has been invaded! A pushy beaver takes over Turtle’s beloved pond and refuses to share. Instead, he challenges her to a race to determine who can stay. But how can a little turtle outswim a big, powerful beaver? This charming fable of brains versus brawn is a great read for all the young readers in the forest to share!” (from the publisher)
Rabbit’s Snow Dance, link to read it for free at archive.org
This Iroquois story, also by Joseph and James Bruchac, is such a fun telling of why rabbits have short tails and pussy willow trees have soft fluff. My kids especially enjoyed Rabbit’s repeated chants as he does the snow dance.
“Rabbit loves the winter. He knows a dance, using an Iroquois drum and song, to make it snow—even in summertime! When rabbit decides that it should snow early, he starts his dance and the snow begins to fall. The other forest animals are not happy and ask him to stop, but Rabbit doesn’t listen. How much snow is too much, and will Rabbit know when to stop?” (from the publisher)
The Sun’s Daughter, link to read it for free at archive.org
This is an original Iroquois version of a story known to many cultures. My kids immediately compared it to the Greek myth of Persephone and Hades.
“In a tale based on an Iroquois legend that parallels the Greek myth of Persephone and Demeter, one of the Sun’s daughters, Maize, disobeys her mother and is trapped by Silver, and it is up to the tiny pewee bird to save Maize and keep the people from starving.” (from the publisher)
To combine this book with nature study, learn about the Eastern Wood-Pewee.
Maiden of the Mist, archive.org
“Long ago, a Seneca tribe lived on the Niagara River, just upstream from a great waterfall. With plenty of fish and crops to feed them, life was good in their village. Then a sickness came to the people, and everything changed. As the situation worsened and people died, Lelawala, the chief’s daughter, came up with a plan to help. She would go to the thunder god, Hinu, and find out why he wouldn’t help her people. But to do that, Lelawala would have to go to his home under the great falls, and never return.” (from the publisher)
How Chipmunk Got His Stripes, archive.org
“Bear brags that he can do anything-even stop the sun from rising. Brown Squirrel doesn’t believe him, so the two wait all night to see if the sun will rise. Sure enough, the sky reddens and the sun appears. Brown Squirrel is so happy to be right that he teases Bear. What happens when a little brown squirrel teases a big black bear? Brown Squirrel gets stripes and is called chipmunk from that day forward . . . Joseph and James Bruchac join forces to create this buoyant picture book, based on a Native American folktale.” (from the publisher)
Joseph Bruchac mentions in the author’s note that the earliest written version of this tale is from the Seneca tribe.
Chapter Books
If You Lived with the Iroquois, link to read for free at archive.org
Written for kids in a question and answer format, this book is best digested in small pieces. It’s very informative with engaging illustrations.
“This book describes what life was like for the Iroquois hundreds of years ago. By putting the reader in the empathetic position of posing the information as questions, the reader is drawn into the subject matter in a realistic and exciting way. The reader discovers the rich culture of the Iroquois from their festivals, religion, education, work, and beliefs.” (from the publisher)
My 11-year old twins enjoyed reading this short chapter book. It piqued an interest in the sport of lacrosse. It also opened up a few conversations about prejudices and how people can be unaware of insensitive comments.
“When twelve-year-old Jake Forrest’s mother gets a job in a new city, everything changes. He has to move away from the Iroquois reservation he’s lived on his entire life―away from his aunt and uncle, and away from the friends he plays lacrosse with. The lacrosse coach and players at his new school in Washington, D.C., believe that winning is everything, and they don’t know anything about the ways of his people. As Jake struggles to find a place where he truly belongs, tragedy strikes and he must find out who he really is. Can he find courage to face the warrior within―the warrior who values peace and leads other to more noble pursuits than outscoring the opposition?” (from the publisher)
“Twelve-year-old Okwaho’s life has suddenly changed. While he and his best friend are out hunting, his friend is kidnapped by men from a neighboring tribal nation, and Okwaho barely escapes. Everyone in his village fears more raids and killings: The Five Nations of the Iroquois have been at war with one another for far too long, and no one can remember what it was like to live in peace.
Okwaho is so angry that he wants to seek revenge for his friend, but before he can retaliate, a visitor with a message of peace comes to him in the woods. The Peacemaker shares his lesson tales—stories that make Okwaho believe that this man can convince the leaders of the five fighting nations to set down their weapons. So many others agree with him. Can all of them come together to form the Iroquois Great League of Peace?” (from the publisher)
Children of the Longhouse, archive.org
“When Ohkwa’ri overhears a group of older boys planning a raid on a neighboring village, he immediately tells his Mohawk elders. He has done the right thing—but he has also made enemies. Grabber and his friends will do anything they can to hurt him, especially during the village-wide game of Tekwaarathon (lacrosse). Ohkwa’ri believes in the path of peace, but can peaceful ways work against Grabber’s wrath?” (from the publisher)