The Iroquois Constitution Summary

In 1492, an Italian seafarer named Columbus sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to the shores of North America, and found the Native American people. Having never before traveled to this foreign land, Columbus and the sailors accompanying him were exhausted from their journey. They had new land to explore, to survive, gold to discover, and to interact with natives they had never met. The sailors knew nothing about the Native Americans and thought them to be savages. Upon breaking shore, the Native Americans would not greet the Europeans outright and were not very receptive to the Europeans. They did not have advanced technology like the Europeans, and lived an uncomplicated life in huts that included living off of the land by means of hunting

They created these laws for practical purpose, instituting and invoking unity and strength in their communities. In the “The Iroquois Constitution” the writing states what classification of people they would admit into their community. In the written work it says, “If any man or any nation outside the Five Nations shall obey the laws of the Great peace and make known their disposition to the lords of the confederacy, they may trace the roots to the tree and if their minds are clean and they are obedient and promise to obey the wishes of the confederate council, they shall be welcomed to take shelter beneath the Tree of the Long Leaves” This displays that the Native Americans did have conventional ideals that those in relation with them had to follow. They also incorporated selfless leaders to hold power over the law, as shown in the Iroquois Constitution when it states: “Your heart shall be filled with peace and good will and your mind filled with a yearning for the welfare of the people of the confederacy” The laws they had in the Constitution were based on the goodwill and wellbeing for their people, and shows the high values that desired to shape into their

The short story Earth on Turtle’s Back describes determination and the connection that animals and humans have. In order to save a human, one of the animals must dive far into the waters surrounding them, grasp the Earth, and bring it up for her to live on so she will live. The smallest animal grasps the Earth and successfully plants it for the human to live on and begin life. The story states, “ She was not as strong and swift as the others, but she was determined” This shows that the Native Americans were not simple-minded savages, and wanted to demonstrate to their children strong morals akin to determination and tenacity. Furthermore, the short story “When Grizzlies Walked Upright” shows additional concerns about morality. A grandmother abducted a Chief Sky Spirit’s daughter, and upon her deathbed wants forgiveness for doing so. He does away with the grandmother and curses the grizzlies by saying: “Get down on your hands and knees. You have wronged me, and from this moment all of you will walk on four feet and never talk again” This story taught children the consequences of deceiting, and further added to the strong moral value that Native Americans believed