A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.

Overview

Haudenosaunee is the Confederacy's own name, which it translates as People of the Longhouse. Iroquois and League of Five Nations are names applied from outside in historical usage. The Confederacy lists five founding nations: the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga and Seneca.

According to the Confederacy, each member nation keeps its own council and runs its internal affairs, while matters concerning the whole union go to the Grand Council. Clan Mothers choose the Chiefs. Within the image of a shared longhouse, the Onondaga hold the role of Keepers of the Fire.

The Confederacy identifies several distinct languages, including Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora. Elders and younger learners work together to revitalise them. Separate profiles cover particular Oneida, Seneca and Mohawk communities; these are related to the Confederacy but are not interchangeable with it.

Union of nations with separate councilsClan Mothers select ChiefsMultiple distinct languages under revitalisation
01

History & identity

The Confederacy describes its founding through the account of the Peacemaker and Aionwatha, held as community historical tradition. It states that the exact date is unknown, so no founding year is given.

02

Sources & representation

Both sources are published by the Confederacy itself and present its own account rather than independent corroboration.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

  1. 01

    Who We Are

    · 2021

    Selected bibliography: the Confederacy's overview of identity and governance.

  2. 02

    Languages

    · 2018

    Selected bibliography: the Confederacy's page on its languages.

Language & cultural connections

Source-supported language and cultural connections have not yet been compiled for this profile.

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

  1. Community organisation web pageWho We AreResearch access: 2026-10-06
  2. Community organisation web pageLanguagesResearch access: 2026-10-06

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.

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