The Iroquois Tribe

The Iroquois Tribe by Mimi

If you thought that only Americans and Europeans fought in the Revolutionary War, then you are wrong.

The earliest record we have of the Iroquois Tribe is the 16th century or earlier. The Iroquois was not just one tribe, but many. The original Iroquois was known as the Five Nations.Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca joined together in harmony. In 1722, a sixth nation joined. The Tuscarora Tribe arrived, officially making the Iroquois the Six Nations. There is a Grand Council made up of fifty hereditary sachems to make laws and to keep peace.

The Iroquois played a role in the Revolutionary War. At first the Great Council had a hard time deciding which side to be on, and decided to remain neutral. Then the Mohawk chief named Thayendanega, commonly known as Joseph Brant, wanted to fight for the British because he was angry at the Patriots for taking their land. He said they would take even more land if they ruled this land by themselves. He persuaded the Mohawk, Cayuga, Onondaga, and Cayuga to follow
him. The Oneida and Tuscarora were the only Iroquois who fought for the Patriots because they
were not convinced. An important battle the Iroquois fought in was The Battle of Oristany. They
helped bring down southern New York and northern Pennsylvania.

After the war, Americans were mad at the Iroquois for not fighting for them, so they
retaliated. In a raging frenzy, Americans destroyed and burned down villages, driving the
Iroquois out. Since the Oneida and Tuscarora were the only tribes that did not fight for the
British, they were allowed to flee with no harm. One of the Iroquois's most sacred beliefs is that
they consider themselves as a sovereign nation, not just another ethnic group in America.
Even though the Iroquois has scattered, their descendants still live on.