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The Tribes of the Iroquois

Mohawk
Region: Central New York, near Mohawk River
Mohawk Indians were known for their fierceness and skill in battle. THey fought in many wars and joined the Iroquois League. Mohawk men hunted bear, deer and other animals. Mohawk woman raised corn, beans and sqaus ancd gathered nuts, berrries and edible plants. They  lived in large bark-covered dwellings called long houses, as the rest of the Iroquois do.

The term Mohawk means "they eat living things" Though they did eat living things, it isn't always fair for that name. The Mohawk were one of the original 5 tribes of the Iroquois League. During the Revolutionary War, the Mohawk joined the British.The British lost the war, however, and the Mohawk moved to the Canada. Today there are 10,000 Mohawk Indians.

Cayuga
Region:Area around Cayuga Lake, New York
The Cayuga Indians occupied an area near Cayuga Lake in central New York. As one of the originial five tribe of the Iroquois League, most now live in Ontario. Cayuga men hunted deer, bean and other small animals. Women did what the Mohawk did. In the spring, the Cayuga tapped trees for syrup, which they used to make sugar.

After the American Revolution in which the Six Nations broke up, the Cayuga sold their reservation and moved north. Now, the Cayuga have begun a legal battle to recover their former land. They claimed the sale took place without approval of the federal government, making it illegal under a 1790 law.

Oneida
Region: New York
The Oneida Indains are one of the original five tribes. A majority now live in Wisconsin. Their name means "People of the standing stone." During the Revolutionary War, the Oneida sided with the Americans. One Oneida chief said:

"If all the skulls of the Oneida Indians killed by British forces in fighting to help the colonials get their freedom were piled together, the pile would be larger than the capital building in Albany."  and in response to helping the Americans, the Oneida said:

"Brothers -- In your late war with the people on the other side of the great water, and at a period when thick darkness overspread this country, your brothers the Oneidas stepped forth, and uninvited took up the hatchet in your defense; we fought by your side, our blood flowed together, and the bones of our warriors mingled with yours ."

Tuscaroras
Region: New York
The Tuscaroras joined the Iroquois confederacy around 1722. The Confederacy was then known as the Six Nations, instead of 5. They, liked the Oneida, joined the Americans in fighting against the British. They also recieved much praise.

Seneca
Region: New York
The Seneca Indians produced the msot well-known leaders of the Iroquois, Red Jacket and Handsome Lake. Red Jacket, while refusing to learn Christian life, wished to remain at peace with white men, and fought bravely against colonists during the revolutionary war. Handsome Lake was a Senecan prophet. One of the five original tribes, the Seneca sided with the British during the Revolutionary War.

Onondaga
Region: New York
One of the original 5 tribes to join, the presend tday Iroquois headquarters is here, at Onondaga Reservation. During the Revolutionary War, tehy

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