Mohawk Nation Facts for Kids

Introduction – Who Is The Mohawk Nation

The Mohawk nation is an indigenous nation from North America. Mohawk also known as the “Kanyen’kehà:ka” in the native language means “People of the place of flint”. There are more than 30,000 Mohawk nation members and they are divided into various communities (also referred to as territories).

Where Do Mohawk People Live?

The Mohawk nation is divided into various communities. Here are few of the main communities of the Mohawk Nation and where they are located:

Kahnawake is a Mohawk territory on the South shore of the Saint Lawrence River in Quebec, Canada. This territory was established in 1719.
Akwesasne is a Mohawk territory found on the intersection of the two countries United States and Canada. The territory is divided by borders but is considered as one by the residents.
Kanesatake is a Mohawk territory found on the shore of Lake of Two Mountains in southwestern Quebec, Canada.
Tyendinaga is a Mohawk territory located East of Bellville Ontario, Canada.

What Does Mohawk Mean?

The word “Mohawk” means “Kanyen’kehà:ka” in the native language; the word translates to “People of place of flint(or chert)”. The people called themselves the nation of flint because they became wealthy traders as other confederacies required their flint for tools. The English and the Dutch called the nation Mohawk, because of the Aloquian word “Mohowauuck” which meant “man-eater”

What Is The Haudenosaunee Confederacy?

The Haudenosaunee Confederacy also known as the “Iroquois” are an Iroquoian-speaking confederacy. The confederacy was most likely formed between 1144-1660. The Iroquois originally consisted of five nations, but in 1722 a sixth nation was added as well to the confederacy. The six nations are:

Mohawk
Oneida
Onondaga
Cayuga
Seneca
Tuscarora

Traditional Mohawk Life

The traditional mohawk life revolved around many factors. Here is a short list of things that the Mohawk nation was involved in everyday:

The hunting seasons and farming, the lifestyle of the people depended on which season it was as they were found hunting or gathering food.
Community based food collection, people from all over the clan came together to either collect or hunt for food. This made the people in the clan have a very strong bond and maintained their cultural integrity.
Trade was vital within clans, other Haudenosaunee nations and the English. People of the nation traded flint, animal skin etc to maintain relationships with others and enhance diplomatic relationships.
Arts and culture is a great part of the Mohawk lifestyle. People used to create intricate beadwork and garments and wampum belts are still created to this day. Toys and dolls were made out of corn husk and children were involved in all activities.

Mohawk Clothes and Hairstyles

The traditional Mohawk clothing and hairstyle was something like this:

In the 1800s the Mohawk men used to wear deerskin trousers and shirts.
They covered themselves with blankets woven out of:

bison hair
bearskin
deerskin

Women wore garments that were carefully crafted out of different animals’ skin and had geometric designs with bead works.
They also wore beadworks and created intricate designs for everyday wear.
The Mohawk hairstyle consists of shaved sides and central hair standing straight. This was not a common hairstyle but it was a war custom in the Mohawk nation.

Mohawk Languages

The people of the Mohawk nation speak various languages:

Kanienʼkéha (Mohawk) language is an Northern Iroquoian language that is spoken by 3,500 people in the nation. The language is classified as threatened due the number of speakers declining every year.
English is a common language spoken by the indigenous nation as well.
French is adopted by many people from the Mohawk nation.

Mohawk Symbols and Beliefs

The Mohawk nation were mostly “Animists”, which meant that they believed in the spiritual essence of objects, places and creatures. Some historians also claim that the Mohawk nation believed in the worship of many gods and idols (also known as polytheism). The Mohawk nation also had symbols that represented important things like the Wampum Belts. These wampum belts are created from the shell of a clam; they are considered living history by the people of the Haudenosaunee culture. The wampum marks many things like:

Symbolising the titles held in the Haudenosaunee culture
Marking when council meetings took place etc.

Famous Mohawk People

Just like various communities found in the world, the Mohawk nation had many talented and famous people. Here are a few names that are widely recognised:

Oronhyatekha (1841-1907) also known as Peter Martin, was a renowned scholar and physician. He was the first Native American to become an Oxford University scholar. He was also an activist and did a lot for the Native population despite the time of racism. He is a highly respected figure who pushed through to create a name and an image for the Mohawk nation.
E. Pauline Johnson (1861-1913), also known as Tekahionwake in the Mohawk language, was an author and performer. She was born to a Mohawk chief and her mother was an English immigrant. Her poetry has been published widely throughout Canada and the United States. She is recognised for her diverse style of writing which celebrates her mixed heritage.
Esther Louise Georgette Deer (1891-1992), also known as Princess White Deer was an activist, singer and dancer. She belongs to the Mohawk tribe and is known for her incredible contributions for the Native population:

She supported Native women to go out and vote
She funded and supported many charities
She set up a meeting between American President Theodore Roosevelt and the six nations of Iroquois.

Mohawk Nation Today

Did you know about the Mohawk Skywalkers? This is a nickname given to the Mohawk iron and construction workers. They have created ginormous skyscrapers from the Empire State Building to The World Trade Center. The Mohawk people are very talented like the rest of the world and they are involved in politics, arts, education and business. Here are a few people who belong to the Mohawk nation and have made credible influence in the world.

Facts About the Mohawk Nation

“Shé:kon” means hello in the mohawk language.
Children in the Mohawk nation often speak 2-3 languages.
Did you know Lacrosse is a traditional Haudenosaunee sport?
According to the league of nations a common misconception is that the Mohawks were titled the “Keepers of the Eastern Door” within the confederacy. This title was established by the Europeans for the Mohawk nation.
During the American revolution, most of the Mohawk nation sided with the British.
The Dutch and the English referred to the Mohawk people as “man-eaters”.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Mohawk Nation

What languages do the Mohawk people use?

The Mohawk people speak various languages but their native language is called Kanienʼkéha (Mohawk). The majority of people from the nation also speak English, just like you!

What is the significance of a wampum belt?

A wampum belt is a guide to narrate Haudenosaunee culture, history and tradition. The belt is oftentimes worn by tribal leaders as a symbol of wealth as well.

Who was the Great Peacemaker?

The Great peacemaker also known as Deganawida (oftentimes he is not referred through his name as it is considered disrespectful) is a Native American who united the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. He is considered a very important part in Iroquois history.

Conclusion

The Mohawk nation has a deep cultural history and recognizing their indigenous identity is very important. Children should always be eager to learn about various native cultures with respect and curiosity. Here are some other tribes and communities that you can learn about: