Download Lesson 6 - The Role of Women

Iroquois Confederacy
Lesson 6: Role of Women
Objectives:
 Understand the role of women in the Iroquois Confederacy
 Compare and contrast the role of women in the Iroquois and Athens society
Introduction
1. Sketch Brainstorm – Fold a piece of paper into 4 rectangles. Using an 8 x 11
piece, fold hot dog, then hamburger. Unfold…and you will have 4 rectangles. In
each rectangle, sketch something you know about the Iroquois. Allow students 5
minutes, then they will share with a partner. Ask students to identify the
importance of this activity. (This is an oral activity…like the Iroquois history)
Activities
2. Read aloud to the students, “Roles of Women.” Have students write down any
key points to the story in notes. For example, creating a web, write, “women,” in
the center, then as you read the story students will branch off notes or pictures to
remind them of important facts through the story. Create the web together,
drawing and illustrating and writing notes as you go. This will serve as the
students notes to help with the next activity. ( Read any other resources you may
also have available – Nelson pg. 96)
3. Show students flow charts of Iroquois Women and Ancient Greek women and
their roles to their respective societies.
4. Students will create a poster. Give students a piece of 11 x 17 paper. Students
will fold in half hamburger. On one side, students will draw a Iroquois Women.
They will write 10 words to describe her role in her society. One the other side,
students will draw 3 Ancient Greek Women – one Athenian, one Metic and one slave.
Students will write 10 words for each illustration to show the role each of these
women have in the Ancient Greek society.
Closure
5. Exit Slip or Learning Log – What was the importance of women in the Iroquois
Confederacy? How was their role different from the role of the Ancient Greek
women?
THE ROLES OF IROQUOIS WOMEN
IN THE IROQUOIS TRIBE
Women have always had an honored place in Iroquois society. In the Iroquois
society, women had the power of many things.
In many societies throughout history and around the world, women have not been
treated equally and given equal rights to men. However, the Iroquois society has
always treated women equally and given them a lot of power and important jobs
since their wisdom and skills have always been respected by the Iroquois people.
One of the main things that Iroquois women controlled was choosing the chiefs of
clans and removing them if they didn't properly fulfill their jobs. Women voted to
decide which men were in the Great Council but could not run themselves. The
Iroquois women could start and stop wars. If someone said things that clashed with
the Women's Council, they could replace them. If the men wanted to go on a journey
that the women did not approve, they would refuse to give them food and supplies.
All of the lineage of the Iroquois tribe went back to one woman and the family name
passed through the women's family. Women had the rights to the land they farmed
and each clan divided their land plots among the women. Women owned all the
normal things of everyday life such as blankets, cooking utensils, farming tools, and
so on. All that the men owned were their clothes, weapons, and personal things.
Women had many important jobs in the Iroquois tribe such as planting and
harvesting the crops, collecting wild nuts and berries, making clothes, clay pots and
baskets, taking care of the homes and the children. And of one of the most
important jobs was being a Clan Mother. The Clan Mother was the oldest and/or
most respected woman and had all the power over the clan. The Clan Mother could
choose and remove the Chief of the clan who was called a "Sachem". The women
worked well together and men and women worked well in cooperation together too
Role of Women - Athens
Women
Metics



Could not participate in
government
Could not vote
Could influence citizens
Athenian Women



Could not participate in
government
Could not vote
Could influence citizens
Slaves



Could not participate in
government
Could not vote
Had no influence
Role of Women - Iroquois
Women


Clan Mother
Chose and advised the
Hoyaneh
Had a strong indirect
influence on decisions


Women
Participated in Women’s
Councils which advised
the Clan Mothers
Used concensus