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Mohawk Tribe

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By

Courtney Brigham, Kristen-Anne Turkovic, Brittney Lachman, & James Welsh

Essential Question:�

How did geography affect the Mohawk tribe?

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Table of Contents

  • History
  • Geography
  • Culture
    • Men
    • Women
  • Clothes
    • Men
    • Women
  • Food
  • Habitat
  • Famous People

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The Mohawk Tribe

Native American Tribes

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History

The Mohawk Tribe

  • 17th Century Tribe
  • Part of the Iroquois Federation
  • Inhabited area around the Great Lakes
  • “Keepers of the Eastern Door”
    • Protected Iroquois from invasions
  • Fought against US during American Revolution
    • Allied with Dutch & Great Britain

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Mohawk Indian

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History

  • Today, Mohawks inhabit southeastern Canada and parts of New York
  • Still live on reservations
  • Governed by their own elected officials (chiefs)
  • Source of intrigue, inspiration
    • Inspired early American literature

Mohawk Indian

“Into the Wilderness”

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By Sarah Donati

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Geography

Map of Native American Tribes in New York State

The Mohawk Tribe were the original people of New York State!

Today: Parts of Canada and upstate New York

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Mohawk Tribe Culture

-Iroquoian Language

-Very artistic. Skilled at beadwork and porcupine quill artistry.

-Believed in the God Hahgwehdiyu.

-Mask carving was sacred. These masks were used in religious ceremonies.

-Created the game lacrosse (known to them as Tewaarathan). They would play to heal those who were sick.

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Culture for Men

  • Chiefs were always men.
  • Men hunted, fought in battles and participated in trade.
  • Men had the “Mohawk” hairstyle.

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Culture for Women

-Only women could vote for the chief.

-Women were farmers. Took care of the lands and their families.

-Women would wear the “Mohawk” hairstyle during wartime only.

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Men’s Traditional Clothing

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  • During the summer time men wore loincloths.
  • In the winter time men would wear fur-lined robes and moccasins.
  • Occasionally, the men would wear deer skin as leggings.
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Women’s Traditional Clothing

  • The women would wear only a knee-length skirt during the summer time to keep cool.

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  • In the winter time, women would wear fur-lined robes and moccasins to keep warm.

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Food

  • Primarily agricultural people
    • “The Three Sisters”
  • Men’s Role
    • Hunted for deer, rabbit, bear and fish
  • Women’s Role
    • Tended gardens and raised vegetables
  • Corn comprised 60% of the Mohawk diet
  • 80% of diet came from women’s activities

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Habitat

  • Built by the Mohawks
  • 300 feet in length
  • 16-23 feet wide
  • Walls made of sharpened and fire-hardened poles
  • Roof made of leaves and grass
  • Both ends of the house covered in animal hide to keep warm
  • Contained fireplaces
  • Holes in the roof to let smoke out
    • Did this so they didn’t lose oxygen
    • Problem in rain or snow

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Famous People

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Thayendanegea/Joseph Brant

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Molly Brant

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Joseph Onasakenrat

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Thayendanegea/Joseph Brant

  • Mohawk chief
  • Who took part in border wars with white settlers during the Resolution
  • Born in Ohio in 1742
  • Joined Indians under Sir William Johnson at the Battle of Lake George in 1755
    • Sent to Dr. Wheelock’s charity school in Connecticut where he learned how to speak and write English
  • Married daughter of an Oneida chief about 1765
  • Died in November 24, 1807
    • His youngest son became chief of the Mohawk tribe

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Molly Brant

  • Most powerful and influential woman in the Mohawk Nation
    • Credited with maintaining British loyalty throughout the Iroquois Confederacy
  • Younger sister of Joseph Brant
  • Received an education that was unusual for any woman during this time
  • Married William Johnson, a famous British trader
  • During times of disagreement between British and Mohawks; Molly traveled to the villages and met with chiefs to urge continued loyalty to the Crown
  • Moved to Canada during the American Revolution

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Joseph Onasakenrat

  • Mohawk chief
  • Translated religious works into his native language
  • Sent to school at 14 for the priesthood
    • Converted to Protestantism and became an evangelical preacher
  • Died on February 8,1881

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Louise (daughter) and Emma (mother) are the second and first generation of the Mohawk Tribe!

Starting from the left is Emma, Louise and Sylvia! The first, second and third generation of the Mohawk Tribe!

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Summary

Geography affected the Mohawk tribe in that the rural land they lived on helped them farm, fish, hunt. It also kept them close to other early Native American tribes for trading purposes. The climate also affected the Native Americans because the different seasons of their northeastern location allowed them for farming.

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Test Knowledge of your Group

Our quiz!

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Resources

Mohawk Food. (n.d.). Mohawk Food. Retrieved November 17, 2013, from http://www.olivetreegenealogy.com/moh/food.shtml

Mohawk Indian Tribe Facts. (n.d.). MOHAWK INDIAN TRIBE FACTS. Retrieved November 17, 2013, from http://native-american-indian-facts.com/Northeast-American-Indian-Facts/Mohawk-Indian-Tribe-Facts.shtml

Mohawk Indians. (n.d.). Learn more about the and their culture. Retrieved November 17, 2013, from http://www.indians.org/articles/mohawk-indians.html

Mohawk Indians. (n.d.). Learn more about the and their culture. Retrieved November 17, 2013, from http://www.indians.org/articles/mohawk-indians.html

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