Haudenosaunee/Native American and Indigenous Peoples

"...the first European settlements on the Atlantic Coast were made by the English and Dutch on the South and by the French on the extreme north. Ascending the great river St. Lawrence, the French founded the cities of Quebec and Montreal; following the river and the lakes westward, they established the settlements at Pittsburgh and Detroit, many years before the English settled Western New York. 

When the French arrived, the Algonquinsand Hurons lived in Eastern Canada. They formed a strategic partnership with the French, as the Canadian Indians and the Iroquois in Western New York were at war. The French sided with their Indian allies in this conflict, which led to deep-rooted hostility from the Iroquois.

Many intense battles occurred between the French and these Native Americans with varying levels of success. Eventually, the Algonquins and Hurons were displaced or obliterated, and the Iroquois nearly wiped out the French settlements in Canada. They effectively prevented the French from establishing themselves in New York, even though the French claimed the entire territory. Only a few French missionaries were permitted to stay in Iroquois territory, except at the mouth of the Niagara River, where the French founded a trading post in 1678. The English, led by Sir William Johnson, captured the post in 1759 and held it until it was surrendered to the United States in 1796." 

— Arad Thomas, "Pioneer History of Orleans County, New York"

The descriptions of the Iroquois Nation and the interaction between its people, the pioneers, and wealthy land speculators, are presented neutrally by Arad Thomas in "The Pioneer History of Orleans County," but are also based on attitudes of the time (1856). Perhaps the more egregious details were not included. Today, it is important to continue to dig deeper. By revealing and accepting the whole story, both positive and negative aspects, we can identify lessons, mistakes, and successes, allowing us to make better decisions in the future.

For example, Thomas explains in Chapter 1 that the rapid settlement of the area decimated fish and game populations so the Indians no longer valued the area. But perhaps the centuries of conflict, and repeated attempts of wealthy New Yorkers during the early 19th century to obtain the land by any means necessary, caused many of the people to focus their attention on smaller regions in order to save what was left of their territory. The smaller areas were easier to defend given the extreme loss of native population over the centuries. Basically, they were doing what they had to do to survive.  

Today approximately 45,000 Six Nations people live in Canada, and over 81,000 reside in the United States. Iroquoian languages are still spoken, with Mohawk (Kanyen'kéha) being the most widely known. Members are actively involved in court cases involving land claims, in international groups dedicated to indigenous rights and have made, and continue to make, an impact on movies, television, and print media, with notable figures like actor Graham Greene. But the Haudenosaunee still face ongoing challenges in maintaining traditional balance in every aspect of their lives.

Introduction to the Haudenosaunee Confederacy

• Overview of the Six Nations (Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, Tuscarora).
• Brief history of their formation as the "People of the Longhouse."
• Their significance in the region before European settlement.

Traditional Territory and Relationship to Orleans County

• Description of the lands traditionally inhabited or utilized by the Haudenosaunee.
• Key waterways, hunting grounds, and agricultural practices (e.g., Three Sisters farming: corn, beans, squash).

Cultural Practices and Contributions

• Core values and governance, including the Great Law of Peace.
• The role of oral tradition, wampum belts, and clan systems.
• Contributions to modern democratic principles.

Interaction with Early Settlers

• Relationships between the Haudenosaunee and European settlers in Orleans County.
• Impact of treaties, trade, and alliances.
• How their knowledge and practices influenced pioneer survival (e.g., food preservation, medicine, navigation).

Effects of Colonization

• Land dispossession and the impact of treaties such as the Treaty of Canandaigua (1794).
• Forced displacement and its effects on the Haudenosaunee community.

Current Presence and Revitalization

• Overview of contemporary Haudenosaunee communities in Western New York.
• Efforts to preserve language, culture, and traditional knowledge.

Notable Individuals and Stories

• Highlight key Haudenosaunee leaders or figures from the region’s history.
• Include any documented interactions between these individuals and settlers in Orleans County.

Educational Resources

• Links to Haudenosaunee cultural centers, museums, and historical sites (e.g., Ganondagan State Historic Site).
• Books, documentaries, and organizations dedicated to preserving Haudenosaunee history.