HST-4030-3

History of the Haudenosaunee

This is a course exploring the history of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) people. It is a course code that has been created, specifically for the region of southern Quebec where the Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) people reside. The Kanien’kehá:ka are one of the 6 nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. This is an important option course that provides context for the students who are attending school and living in traditional Kanien’kehá:ka territory.

Concepts and Topics

Concepts

Identity
Relationship
Stories
Culture
Holistic thinking
Tradition
Stereotypes
Land
Colonization

Topics

Creation Story
Ohenton Karihwatehkwen
Peacemaker/ Creation of Confederacy
The Great Law of Peace
Grand Council and Social Structure
Colonization: First Contact
Seven Years War
American Revolution
Treaties
Indian Act, Dawes Act, Indian Reorganization Act
B.I.A (US) & INAC (Can)
Band Council vs Traditional People (contemporary conflicts)
Land Claims
History of Kahnawake
Membership
Lacrosse
Red Cards
Education

Assignments and Activities

Planning a War

In 2 teams, the class is divided to create their war strategy and tactics in a siege scenario. One group is the village under siege, while the other group are the people coming to attack. In this activity, students begin to unpack their understanding of war tactics as an introduction to Haudenosaunee warfare. Following this activity, students are taught about the Seven Years War and the American Revolution; paying attention to the influence and impact that the Haudenosaunee people had on both the outcome and even the tactics in war.

Unpacking Environmental Racism and Land Claims

In this activity, students learn about the shifting geography of Kahnawake. In 4 groups, students watch one of the videos about an infrastructure project that used Mohawk land for federal purposes. Students spend time discussing the loss of land, positive and negative impacts of these projects as well as the legacy that these projects have left in the community of Kahnawake

Treaties

Students learn about the numbered treaties in Canada, and the treaties made between the Haudenosaunee and the U.S. They each research one, and learn about the belts that went along with them. Following this, students work on creating their own wampum belts, carefully choosing the colors and the message that they wish to convey with their belt.

Other Activities:

Documentaries/movies:
- Iron Workers: https://www.nfb.ca/film/little_caughnawaga_to_brooklyn_and_back/
- Oka Crisis: https://www.nfb.ca/film/rocks_at_whiskey_trench/
- Crooked Arrows: Lacrosse Movie

Class discussions
Journal entries relating their own experiences to concepts (i.e. creation stories, "things I am grateful for")
Close reading and news analysis

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