Mohawk People

Indigenous · Haudenosaunee · North America · history

Part of a powerful alliance. The Mohawk are one of six nations in the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, also called the Iroquois Confederacy. This alliance of Indigenous nations worked together for centuries in what is now the northeastern United States and Canada.

Their own name matters. The Mohawk call themselves Kanien'keháka, which is their real name in their own language. Using people's names for themselves is a way to show respect for their identity and history.

Easternmost of the six. The Mohawk lived as the easternmost nation of the Haudenosaunee, which means they were positioned on the eastern edge of the confederacy's territory. This location gave them special importance in trade and communication with other nations.

Skilled and organized. The Mohawk people developed complex societies with their own government systems, languages, and ways of life. They were known for their strength, skill in diplomacy, and their central role in the confederacy's decisions.