Native Americans

Cherokee and Iroquois Indians

Cherokee Indians

The Cherokee originally called themselves Aniyunwiya meaning like principle people. Today they call themselves Cherokee ,or Tsalagi, in their own language. Originally from the southeast region in places such as Georgia, North and South Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

Who are they and where do they live?

Language
Today, most Cherokee speak English but some still speak the Cherokee Indian Language. Their writing system is syllabary, meaning that each character represents a syllable.

Cherokee Homes
The Cherokee typically settled in villages located by the river. They lived in houses made of rivercane and plaster with thatched roofs. They also had palisades, or reinforced walls, around them for protection.

Childrens Life
Native children had dolls, toys, and games like most children.

The game children and men liked to play was, Anejodi, or a stickball game.
Mothers carried their babies in cradle board carriers on their backs.

Gender Roles
Men
In charge of hunting, war and diplomacy.

Women
In charge of farming property, and family

Men mostly hunted deer, wild turkeys, small game, and fish.
They made the political decisions. They were the chiefs. The war chief was one of the leaders of the nation. )

Women planted corn, beans, squash, and sunflowers.

Women also gathered berries, nuts, and fruits. They made the social decisions. They were the landowners. The one peace chief was the other leader of the nation.

Weapons and Tools

Weapons
Bows and Arrows to shoot game Spears and fishing poles to fish Tomahawks, spears, and bows and arrows to fight

Tools
Stone adzes (handaxes) for woodworking Flint knives for skinning animals Wooden hoes for farming Pots and baskets for storing corn.

Iroquois Indians

Who are they and where do they live?

The Iroquois originally called themselves Kanonsionni meaning people of the longhouse. Today they call themselves Haudensaunee or six nations. Originally from the northeastern woodlands region. Their homeland is in New York. There were originally 5 tribes (Mohawk, Seneca, Oneida, Onondaga, and Cayuga Tribes)

Language
Each tribe has its own language that is named after the tribe. (Mohawks speak Mohawk) Most men knew Mohawk because that is the language that is spoken at Great Council and religious festivals. Today most of the tribes speak English but some still speak the native language.

English: One Cayuga: Sga:t Mohawk: Enhskat Oneida: Uska Seneca: Ska:t

English: Sing Cayuga: Hore:nho:t Mohawk: Raterennotha Oneida: Tehalihwakhwa Seneca: Hatenotha
English: Eat Cayuga: I:ge:s Mohawk: Raeks Oneida: I:laks Seneca: I:se:k

Iroquois Homes
The Iroquois typically lived in villages of longhouses. Longhouses were large wood-frame buildings that were covered with sheets of elm bark. They were over 100 feet long and housed an entire clan (about 60 people).

Iroquois Organization
Each tribe has its own tribal council to make local decisions All of the tribes are governed by the Iroquois Great Council
Made up of 8-14 members from each tribe Each member was considered a chief and was chosen by the clan mothers

Childrens Life
Native children had dolls, toys, and games like most children.

The game children and men liked to play was, lacrosse.

Mothers carried their babies in cradle board carriers on their backs.

Gender Roles
Men
In charge of hunting, war and trading.

Women
In charge of farming property, and family

They were the chiefs. They made all of the military decisions and trade agreements.

Women planted corn, beans, squash, wild berries and herbs.

They ruled the clans. They made all of the land and resource decisions.

Weapons and Tools

Weapons
Bows and Arrows to hunt Spears and fishing poles to fish clubs, shields, spears, and bows and arrows to fight

Tools
Stone adzes (handaxes) for woodworking Flint knives for skinning animals Wooden hoes for farming (known for their woodworking abilities) Pots and baskets for storing corn.