The document provides background information on the 5 Nations Iroquois Confederacy. It discusses the meaning of their name "Haudenosaunee" or "People of the Longhouse", the formation of the league by Deganawida and Hiawatha, and the nations that joined (Seneca, Onandaga, Oneida, Cayuga, Mohawk). It also briefly summarizes their involvement in the Beaver Wars against the French and Huron from 1609-1628 to control the lucrative fur trade in North America.

1. 5 Nations Iroquois B. Scott Tucker

2. Meaning of The NameRefer to themselves as “Haudenosaunee” which means “People of the Longhouse,” or more accurately “They Are Building A Longhouse”.It implies that the nations of the League should live together as families in the same longhouse.French translation of the word irinakhoiw, a Huron name for the Haudenosaunee, meant “black snakes” or “real adders”.French linguists translated the Algonquian word hilokoa as “killer people.”

3. Formation of The LeagueMembers of the League speak Iroquoian languages that are distinctly different from those of other Iroquoian speakers.The Iroquois League was established prior to major European contact.According to tradition the League was formed by the efforts of 2 men, Deganawida (The Great Peacemaker) and Hiawatha. The nations who joined the league were the Seneca, Onandaga, Oneida, Cayuga, and Mohawk. Once the infighting ceased among the tribes, the became one of the strongest forces in 17th and 18th century North America.

4. Beaver Wars1609 the League engaged in the Beaver Wars with the French and their allies the Huron. The wars were a way to control the lucrative fur trade. 1628, The Mohawks defeated the Mahicans to gain a monopoly in the fur trade with the Dutch at Fort Orange, New Netherland. The Mohawks would not allow the Canadian Indians to trade with the Dutch.