The Iroquois Constitution

Assignment Directions: Title a piece of lined paper "Blog Assignment #1: Iroquois Constitution." For each section, write the title of the section and number your responses.

PART A: Vocab 

1. Look up confederation on dictionary.com. Write the definition.
2. Infer: Why do YOU think separate groups of Native Americans sometimes came together to form confederations?
3. Click here for the definition of confederacy. Write the definition. (Keep in mind that, often, when we say Confederacy with a capital C, we are referring to the southern part of the USA during the Civil War; however, many other groups have also formed confederacies.) 
4. Click here to get the definition for constitution. Write it down. (Keep in mind that many groups have constitutions. Here in the United States, we refer to our own as THE Constitution.)

PART B: Maps

Directions: Use the maps below or search for additional maps online. Restate the questions in your responses.
1. Where was the Iroquois Confederation located?
2. Why do you think this was an important area for Native Americans as well as European Colonists?
3. Which group named on the second map below came up with the origin myth "The Earth on Turtle's Back," which we read in class? 

Part C: Dekanawidah and the Iroquois Constitution

Click here to read a story about Dekanawidah (you will find his name spelled in several different ways).

Directions: Answer these questions using the article linked above. Restate the questions in your responses.

1. Around what time period did Dekanawidah help create the Iroquois Confederacy? 

2. What was unique about Dekanawidah's birth? 

3. What happened during Dekanawidah's childhood, according to legend? 

4. What personal issue did Dekanawidah face that held him back from expressing his ideas? 

5. How did Hiawatha help Dekanawidah?  

6. How did the Iroquois Confederacy play a role in building the United States government? 

7. Name three archetypes found in the Dekanawidah story and explain what makes them archetypes.