This month, we are honoring the Clan Mothers of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and their leadership role within the original democracy of the United States (aka Turtle Island).
The Haudenosaunee is translated to the People of the Longhouse which is an alliance of native Nations united for hundreds of years by law, traditions, beliefs, and cultural values. The Haudenosaunee is also referred to as the Iroquois or the Six Nation Confederacy. The Haudenosaunee consist of the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora nations.
The Clan Mother is very important in the role of Haudenosaunee culture. When the Peacemaker came to the warring people, it was a woman who first accepted Peacemaker’s vision of peace. Because of her vision the Peacemaker gave woman important duties in the Haudenosaunee, the Clan Mother.
The Clan Mother holds much weight in the Haudenosaunee. The Clan Mother is a leader not only of her clan, but of the Nation as well. The Clan Mother selects their spokesman (Hoyane or Chief) to represent them in council. If their Hoyane doesn’t represent their clan, the Clan Mother has the authority to remove their leader as well after warnings. The Hoyane and the Clan Mother work together to best represent the people of her clan.
Not only is the Clan Mother working with the chiefs in making decisions for the people, they also have the duty to ensure that our way of life continues. The Clan Mothers gather and sit to decide when the ceremonies will begin. Then the Clan Mothers supervise the procedures of the ceremony, the food, and soups that are needed. The Clan Mothers are so integral, that the ceremonies cannot begin without the Clan Mothers present.
Source: https://www.onondaganation.org/aboutus/ Photo credit: Haudenosaunee Confederacy:
