The Haudenosaunee Confederacy

Native American · government · northeast · alliance

United Nations. The Haudenosaunee Confederacy was made up of multiple Iroquoian-speaking indigenous peoples who joined together to form one powerful alliance in northeast North America.

Early Democracy. Their confederacy was one of the first examples of a united government where different nations kept their own independence while also working together on important decisions.

Six Nations. Eventually, the Haudenosaunee became known as the Six Nations because six different indigenous nations were part of the confederacy.

Iroquoian Language. All the nations in the confederacy spoke related Iroquoian languages, which helped them communicate and stay connected as allies.

French Encounters. When French explorers came to North America, they called the confederacy the Iroquois League, and this name stuck for a very long time.