Who Are the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee)?

The Iroquois are the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, a league of six Native American nations—Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora—whose traditional homelands center in what is now upstate New York, with communities and territories extending into Canada and other parts of the United States. "Iroquois" is an external name; the people's own term, Haudenosaunee, means "People of the Longhouse." Understanding this distinction, the confederacy's founding story, and its cultural institutions gives you an accurate basis for speaking about them.

Names: Iroquois vs. Haudenosaunee

Using "Haudenosaunee" when referring to the people themselves is more accurate; "Iroquois" remains common in historical and museum contexts, including the name of the Iroquois Indian Museum in Howes Cave, New York, which describes itself as dedicated to fostering understanding of Iroquois culture using Iroquois art as a window to that culture.

The Six Nations of the Confederacy

The confederacy is composed of six member nations:

• Mohawk
• Oneida
• Onondaga
• Cayuga
• Seneca
• Tuscarora (joined later, making the original Five Nations into Six)

The Great Law of Peace

The confederacy's founding is associated with the Great Law of Peace, a framework that united the nations under a shared council system. The story involves figures such as the Peacemaker and Aionwatha (Hiawatha), and it establishes principles of peace, unity, and consensus-based decision-making. The Great Law serves both as a founding narrative and as a governing framework, and it is central to how the confederacy is understood historically and today.

Key Cultural Elements

Clan System

Haudenosaunee society is organized into clans, which are often associated with animals (for example, Bear, Wolf, and Turtle clans). Clan membership shapes identity, kinship obligations, and roles in ceremonial and political life.

The Longhouse

The longhouse is both an architectural form—a long, communal dwelling—and a metaphor for the confederacy itself, with the member nations envisioned as families living under one roof. This is why "People of the Longhouse" is the meaning of Haudenosaunee.

Oral Tradition

Knowledge, history, and law are carried through oral tradition, including the recounting of the Great Law and other stories. This makes oral transmission a living cultural institution rather than a supplement to written records.

Territories: Past and Present

The Haudenosaunee's traditional territories are centered in present-day upstate New York, with additional presence in Canada and other regions of the United States resulting from historical movement and displacement. Today, Haudenosaunee communities and governments exist in both the U.S. and Canada, and their cultural institutions—such as museums and cultural centers—work to keep the confederacy's history and arts visible to broader audiences.

Speaking Accurately About the Iroquois

• Prefer "Haudenosaunee" when referring to the people themselves; use "Iroquois" when it is the established name of an institution or in historical context.
• Name the six nations when discussing the confederacy rather than treating it as a single tribe.
• Recognize the Great Law of Peace as both a founding narrative and a governing framework.
• Treat clan system, longhouse, and oral tradition as interconnected parts of a living culture, not only historical artifacts.