Lesson: Mohawk Culture Through Legends
Mohawk History, Culture and Values
Objectives: Learn about the Mohawk culture through history and legends. Reflect on and contrast the values in our society and the values conveyed in Mohawk legends.
Materials:
Mohawk History, Culture and Values
Objectives: Learn about the Mohawk culture through history and legends. Reflect on and contrast the values in our society and the values conveyed in Mohawk legends.
Materials:
- Mohawk history introduction "Mohawks of the St Lawrence Valley"
- Mohawk legends
- Read the text "Mohawk of the St Lawrence Valley"
- In groups of 3 or 4, students will be given a different Mohawk legend to read
- Students will reflect on the values and views of the world conveyed by the legends and compare/contrast them with the views and values of our present society
- At the end of class, group discussion in which each group will share with the class
Mohawk of the St Lawrence Valley
From the late 1660's onwards, several hundred Iroquois mainly from the MOHAWK nation settled in the region of Montréal. Most converted to Catholicism or underwent the process of doing so. Mohawk of the St Lawrence ValleyFrom the late 1660's onwards, several hundred Iroquois mainly from the MOHAWK nation settled in the region of Montréal. Most converted to Catholicism or underwent the process of doing so. French authorities encouraged the migration, hoping in this way to limit the risks of Iroquois attacks against the Laurentian colony. Three Mohawk communities would spring forth from this migration: Kahnawake, Kanesatake and Akwesasne. Before the conquest of NEW FRANCE (1760), the Mohawk of the St Lawrence Valley were considered valued military allies of the French. Still, this fact did not hinder them from maintaining regular relations with the League of Five Nation Iroquois and the English colony of New York. Kahnawake, which hosts the great fire of the SEVEN NATIONS of Canada, was at that time an important centre of Amerindian diplomacy. It maintained this role for several decades after the conquest of New France, when the Mohawk allied with the British. In 1840, the Iroquois population of the St Lawrence Valley expanded to about 2400. The village of Kahnawake was the most populous with close to 1500 inhabitants. The appearance of Iroquois villages in the St Lawrence Valley began to change in the mid-18th century, when traditional long houses gave way to standard Canadian housing styles. Nevertheless, cultivating corn was an important subsistence activity and remained so into the mid-19th century, particularly for women. Every year the men dedicated several weeks to the hunt, which they carried out mainly south of the St Lawrence. However, in the 19th century these pursuits became increasingly difficult due to the rapid progress of colonization of the area. At the same period, several Mohawk became involved in various construction sites where their talents for working at heights quickly earned them a strong reputation. Today the Mohawk live in urban and semi-urban environments. More than 13 000 strong, they are Québec's most populous Aboriginal nation. Source: http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/en/article/mohawk-of-the-st-lawrence-valley/ |
Important Mohawk Mythological Figures
Sky Woman (Iotsitsisonh or Atsi'tsiaka:ion, in Mohawk): The mother goddess of the Iroquois tribes, said to have fallen through a hole in the sky. The Twin Gods: Sky Woman's twin grandsons, Maple Sapling (Okwiraseh) and Flint (Tawiskaron.) These twin deities were the creators and culture heroes of the Iroquois people. Maple Sapling was the god of life and created many things to help humankind; his twin Flint was the god of death and primarily caused destruction. Sky-Holder (Tharuhyawa:ku, in Mohawk): The high god of Iroquois mythology, a benevolent teacher and caretaker of the world. In many Mohawk communities Sky-Holder is considered the same entity as Maple Sapling, while in others, they are considered to be distinct. The Thunders: Powerful storm spirits who live in the sky and cause thunder and lightning. Although they are dangerous beings and their gaze can bring death to mortal men, they usually play a positive role in Mohawk legends and are typically portrayed as honorable and fair. The thunder god Hinon is their eldest brother and leader. Onatah: Spirit of the Corn, a fertility goddess and one of the Three Sisters of Mohawk agriculture. Stone Throwers (Yakonenyoya'ks, in Mohawk): Little people of Iroquoian folklore. They are dwarf-like nature spirits about 2 feet tall. Stonecoat (Atenenyarhu, in Mohawk): Mythological giant of the Iroquois tribes, with skin as hard as stone. Flying Head (Kanontsistóntie's, in Mohawk): Monster in the form of a giant disembodied head, usually created during a particularly violent murder. Monster Bear: A giant, hairless bear monster. Some people associate them with mammoths. Onyare: A dragon-like horned serpent of the Great Lakes, feared for its habit of capsizing canoes and eating people. The Great Peacemaker (Skennenrahawi) and Hiawatha: The legendary founders of the Iroquois Confederacy and architects of the Great Law. Source: http://www.native-languages.org/mohawk-legends.htm |
See also for more detailed historical accounts:
The Quebec History Encyclopedia: http://faculty.marianopolis.edu/c.belanger/quebechistory/encyclopedia/MohawkIndians.htm
Haudenosaunee: http://www.kahnawakelonghouse.com/index.php?mid=2
Historica Canada: http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/en/article/mohawk-of-the-st-lawrence-valley/
Cultural Survival: http://www.culturalsurvival.org/publications/cultural-survival-quarterly/canada/mohawk
The Quebec History Encyclopedia: http://faculty.marianopolis.edu/c.belanger/quebechistory/encyclopedia/MohawkIndians.htm
Haudenosaunee: http://www.kahnawakelonghouse.com/index.php?mid=2
Historica Canada: http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/en/article/mohawk-of-the-st-lawrence-valley/
Cultural Survival: http://www.culturalsurvival.org/publications/cultural-survival-quarterly/canada/mohawk