The Mohawk group is considered one
of the most powerful Indian tribes in the United States. As part of the
Iroquois Confederation, the group spans it territory in the Eastern part of the
United States and covering areas in the Mohawk valley (present day New York).
Their occupation also spans in the regions of Quebec and Eastern Ontario where
the Mohawk River particularly flows. In seeking then to develop familiarization
of the Mohawk tribe careful attention must be given to its origins and their
relevance in the advancement of Indian culture as well as their interaction
with colonizers and the present challenges of today.
Name
and Early Settlement
For people who are not familiar with the group, Mohawk’s original
name is Kanien’kehake or most commonly referred to as ‘people of the flint’.
This name was attributed to the label created by Algonquin which later became
the standard for European settlers who were in close contact with the group
(Mohawk Tribe 1). Similarly, the Mohawk’s were also considered to be ‘Keepers
of the Eastern Door.’ In particular, they were responsible for fending off
invaders from the East and protect the Iroquois Confederation against
persistent threats. Another name that can be correlated to the Mohawk is
‘Haudenosaunee’. This means People of the Longhouse and corresponds to the type
of place where Mohawk’s stay or dwell (Mohawk Tribe, 1) even if the name can be
associated to all of the Iroquois Confederation.
As far as early settlement is
concerned, the Mohawk tribe can be attributed to their occupation in the early
14th century. Cultural Survival contends that “the earliest known
Mohawk villages were on the St. Lawrence river near Montreal” (1). This
location was particularly chosen due to its lush and sustainable environment.
Specifically, the Mohawk valley has the necessary game and agricultural crops
that can sustain the settlement for months or even years. Likewise, the river
was also critical in helping sustain life especially during winter. “The rivers
ran thick with fish, which the Mohawk salted and stored for winter, and teemed
with beaver, whose pelts were traded with European settlers” (Cultural Survival
1).
Currently, Mohawk’s continue to live
in specific reservations. They include: Akwesasne, Kahnawake, and Kanesatake
(Mohawk Tribe, 1). This is somewhat different from the large territory the
group occupied in the past that spans within New York, Quebec and Ontario.
Arguably, this is caused by an agreement where Mohawks are only allowed land
ownership in these specific areas alongside other Iroquois Indians.
Historical
Interactions and Colonization
As far as interaction with colonizers is concerned, the Mohawk tribe
encountered two nations: the Dutch and French. Looking closely, both countries
sought to first develop interaction with the tribe in order to facilitate trade
and also engage in conversion into Christianity. This can particularly be seen
with Dutch and French missionaries engaging in evangelical work in order to
convert the Mohawk Indians to become Christians.
Analyzing further Dutch interaction
with the Mohawks, it can be argued that their overall relationship remains to
be peaceful. Their connection remains to be stimulated by trade particularly
beaver fur. Specifically, the Dutch was able to establish a trading port in
Fort Nassau in the early 15th century (1615). Likewise, during times
of conflict with other groups, the Dutch and Mohawk maintained a neutral stance
with one another. Most of the time,
Mohawk groups would join the Dutch in its campaign against other Indians or the
French for specific control over trading ports in the area.
On the other hand, the interaction
with the French was somewhat mixed with periods of peace and violence. During
its time of defeat, the Mohawks accepted the condition of the French that
Jesuit missionaries should be allowed to preach in their lands. Similarly, many
of the Mohawks were requested to convert to Catholicism and forego their pagan
rituals. Arguably, this would be the necessary step to appease the French and
also develop positive relationships. However, this would change with the French
Indian War, where conflict would last for seven years.
The succeeding conflict that the
Mohawks participated into is the American revolutionary war. After the war, the
Mohawks had trouble capturing their ancestral lands as the group was forced to
move upwards. Specifically, the Treaty of Canandaigua was essential in helping
end the conflict and allowing Mohawks and other Iroquois groups to have land
ownership.
Cultural
Systems
Examining closely the culture of the Mohawks, it can be seen that
they remain to be influenced by kin partnerships. Specifically, they value
their particular lineages to their families or tribal connections. They in turn
would be essential in helping choose the leadership and promote interaction
with other tribes. “In the past, the three clans - bear, turtle, and wolf -
each had a matron who could adopt members into the clan, usually from tribes
defeated in war” (Cultural Survival 1). It is through this process that the
group continues to evolve and grow.
As far as gender roles are
concerned, the cultural systems of the Mohawks is patriarchal in nature. This
means that men are the ones who are in control of the group affairs and how
they interact with other groups. However, it must be noted that women also have
a say in the development of the Mohawk tribe. Specifically, they are the ones
who delegate the suitable man to head the tribe. Likewise, they continuously
have a say with clan-level and inter-level decisions (Cultural Survival 1).
Considering the development of
religion, the Mohawk’s arguably remain to be animistic at first. This means
that the group continues to worship the spirits of nature and consider their
connection to a higher being. That is why prior to the conversion of many
Mohawks, they continue to engage in rituals and practices that are somewhat
different from their European counterparts. However, this changed when the
Dutch and French converted many Mohawks into Christianity. It is important to
note that despite their conversion, the Mohawks continued to practice something
that is related to their ancestral principles. “Mohawk religion also stresses the
sacred relationship among human beings, animals, and the rest of creation”
(Cultural Survival 1). That is why it can be seen that this group often
practices their religion with a mixture of traditional values and ideals
promoted by Christianity.
Appearances,
Livelihood and Tribal Practices
Traditionally, the appearance of Mohawks can be categorized not only
in their specific hair styles but also in their attempt to express themselves
through clothing. For example, men and women have different clothing styles
during the summer. “Men wore breechcloths with no shirts and women wore a
wraparound shirt or tunic with short leggings” (Native American Indian Facts
1). During winter, both men and women wore more thick clothes to prevent being
frozen. These furs are designed like jackets to keep people warm. Similarly,
men and women wear the Mohawk hairstyle differently. For men, it can be a
symbol that they are currently at war with another faction. On the other hand,
women continue to demonstrate this hairstyle as a way of mourning a loss of a
loved one.
Marital practices among Mohawks are influenced
by their kinship system. Here, the one choosing their partners are women due to
the fact that she is head of the household.
Specifically, marriage remains to be a lifelong commitment and taken
into importance. During the actual act of marriage, there is a day-long
celebration where families engage in festivities and dancing and songs. The
current Mohawk group views marriage differently and more often than not embraces
both traditional and modern practices of weddings.
In analyzing the
livelihood practices of the Mohawks, they arguably remain to be differentiated
by gender. This means that men and women have individual tasks that they need
to accomplish. In the past, the women were involved in farming mostly farm
crops to create a subsistence economy for the group. On the other hand, the men
focused on hunting, fishing or warring with other tribes (SRMT-NSN 1). These
remain to be important practices by the Mohawks that they were able to
preserve. In the future, the Mohawks were also significant in helping build
railroads in Canada because of their expertise in doing metal work.
Generally, the tribal practices of
the Mohawk are violent. The men often engage in conflict with their rival
factions in the region. Men mostly fought for territory or control of specific
materials essential for trade. Similarly, the Mohawks were also competent in
doing beadwork and they are also effective in the use of porcupine quill. Moreover,
the Mohawk group is also engaged in mask creation. This is a highly important
event and often relates to religious ceremonies of the group.
Contemporary
Contributions
The Mohawk group can also be attributed to their contribution to the
expansion of construction in the state of New York. Specifically, they
demonstrated competency with steelwork. In particular, the Mohawks were seen
effective in building bridges and also high skyscrapers. That is why from the
1930s to 1970s, many contractors hired Mohawks due to their ability to
withstand heights and also effectively respond to dangerous conditions.
However, their pay is somewhat different compared to other workers. Apart from
their limited ability to participate in unions, Mohawks received lower pay compared
to others. The iron workers from the Mohawk continued to demonstrate
effectiveness in their chosen craft and showcased willingness to work in
extreme conditions.
Similarly, there are also important
figures in Mohawk history that is worth noting.
For example, there was an individual who was canonized by the Vatican
and proclaimed as a saint last 2012. Specifically, SRMT-NSN.gov contends that
“In October 2012, hundreds of Mohawks and other Catholic Indian people from
throughout the United States and Canada journeyed to the Vatican in Rome
Italy to see Kateri elevated to full status as a saint” (1). Likewise,
there are other notable Mohawk individuals who have lived up to the traditions
and values of the group. Examples of these are Molly and Joseph Brant, John
Deseronto, Patricia Monture-Angus, Alex Rice and Jay Silverheels. In a way,
these individuals were critical in helping people recognize the value of
Mohawks in American culture today.
Conclusion
and Current Issues
Overall, the Mohawk tribe is an indigenous group in the United
States. Through time, it has undergone different conflicts and struggles. In
order to survive, it has accepted new customs and practices coming from their
European counterparts. They also took sides where issues of conflict occur.
Currently, the Mohawk group continues to struggle with their identity and
values as they face modernity. Likewise, the issue of their ancestral land and
heritage remains to be apparent as current tribesmen finds ways to fight for
what belongs to their ancestors.
Also,
the Mohawk groups continue to become subjected to maltreatment and inability to
address their current issues. The result of course is the tribe creating
casinos as a way to sustain their everyday life. Even if this may seem to
challenge their existence, values and tribal morals, it was chosen as a way to
maintain the development of the group.
Works Cited
Cultural Survival. ‘Mohawk’ CSQ Issue. 16 no.2 1992 Available from
<http://www.culturalsurvival.org/publications/cultural-survival-quarterly/canada/mohawk> Web.
Mohawk Tribe. Who are the Mohawk? 2003 Available from
<http://www.mohawktribe.com/the_mohawk_nation.htm> Web.
Native-American Indian Facts. Mohawk Indian Tribe Facts. 2006 Available from <http://native-
american-indian-facts.com/Northeast-American-Indian-Facts/Mohawk-Indian-Tribe-Facts.shtml> Web.
SRMT-NSN.gov. Culture and History. 2006 Available from <http://www.srmt-
nsn.gov/government/culture_and_history/> Web.
