Column: Women took prominent roles in Haudenosaunee society

One prominent American Indian tribe which genuinely manifested an attitude of respect and trust toward women existed within the “Iroquois League,” later known as the “Iroquois Confederation.”

The Haudenosaunee called their league the “Kanonsionni” which means “extended house.” This term demonstrates that the longhouse became more than just a dwelling place; it was extended to the eventual union of the five northeastern American Indian nations as practically implemented in the way the tribes lived in harmony side by side on their respective stretches of land to the south and east of Lake Ontario. It ultimately became the symbol of unity among these Indian peoples. The culture or way of life within the Kanonsionni, coupled with other unique cultural traits, developed the inner strength of the union. It grew into an expansive and powerful organization of Indian nations bound by their loyalty to the clan and to the Confederation.

Such an extended family oriented society allowed women many individual and community “rights,” and women often took leadership positions within the clan or tribal organization. Iroquois women enjoyed many rights not normally permitted to women in European society. The Iroquois women participated fully in helping to maintain the economic, political, social, and spiritual well-being of their communities and clans. The women served as the keepers of their people’s culture, and served as clan leaders. Tribal leadership was matrilineal, as the sister of the sachems (chiefs or leaders) chose the male successor once her brother no longer held a leadership position.

Certainly, the Iroquois women did not fit into the mold that European women were expected to accept in that day and age. Iroquois women not only nominated the men for positions of leadership, but could also insist that specific leaders be removed from power if they did not fulfill their responsibilities to the clan or tribe. In a similar manner, but on a more personal level, if a woman felt that her husband was not being a good husband to her, or a good father for her children, she could ask him to leave their dwelling and essentially divorce the man. The woman’s husband would normally live in the home of the wife’s clan, and if the husband was asked to leave the family, the children remained with their mother.