The Iroquois Constitution Dekanawida 1 He said that

The Iroquois Constitution

Dekanawida 1. He said that “It is my business to stop the shedding of blood among human beings. ” Did he mean all human beings, or just the Indians? 2. Do you think this mission will change with the European Invasion? 3. How was his virgin birth perceived by his mother? How is this different from other legendary virgin births? 4. How do you think the visions his mother saw and her failed attempts to drown him as an infant affected the way she raised him? 5. Does the kind of government that Dekanawida and Haiawaatha formed seem familiar to you? In what way?

The Tree of Great Peace 1. The location of the tree serves as what kind of landmark for the Iroquois nations? 2. The cousin lords, who make rulings on things brought to the confederacy, are similar to what part of the US Government? 3. What animal do both the Iroquois nation and the USA use as a national symbol?

The Care of the Fire 1. Why do you think it is important that the smoke from the fire remains visible at all times? 2. What is a constant, visible sign/symbol all over the USA?

The Laws of the Council 1. Decisions go through three different groups before a final ruling is made. What does this system remind you of? 2. Why do you think foreigners are not allowed to speak in council meetings? 3. Who wrote the laws?

The Clans 1. How do you become a land-owner? 2. Besides blood-relatives, who is considered family? 3. Whose line of descent, the man or the woman, is the one with value in the Iroquois nation? 4. Does it surprise you that these Native Americans had a system for owning land, and why? 5. Can people who join the Iroquois nation from elsewhere become land owners?

The Leaders 1. How many designated leaders are responsible for the Iroquois Nations? 2. What are the qualifications for being a leader? 3. How are they ordered to rule?

The Festivals 1. Why do you think they have so many festivals?

The Symbols 1. Describe the symbol for the Iroquois nation. 2. Draw the symbol. 3. What does it represent?

JCHS Student Constitution 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. The James Clemens Campus – write about how the school is set up and why it is advantageous for the members of the classes when they come together as one student body. James Clemens Representatives – write about a specific person or leadership figure in the school responsible for sending messages out to the community. Describe his/her role and why he/she is important to the student body. Laws: For and by the students: Write about how laws for the student body should be written and decided upon. Don’t write the laws themselves – simply come up with a system for writing and maintaining them. The Classes: Write about the role of each class – their responsibilities, characteristics, etc. The Leaders: Describe the qualities required in order to be a leader of a class. The Celebrations: Write about 4 -5 celebrations you think are important enough to the culture of the school that they are required to happen every year, and why (Pep rallies? Dances? Performances? ) The Symbols: Design a JCHS Symbol (NOT the Jet which has already been designed) and explain what it represents.

JCHS Student Constitution Dekanawida explains how 5 nations are to unite and conduct their relations on a site he determines in the Onondaga territory. He establishes a council that has final authority in decision-making. The constitution details the arrangement of the matriarchal society, how leaders should conduct themselves, what festivals to observe, and what symbols represent the confederacy.

JCHS Student Constitution • Compose a James Clemens Constitution for and by the students. Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors will serve as the 4 tribes/clans. • Write a one to two-paragraph descriptions of the responsibilities/ procedures for their topics. • Due Wednesday 9/5/12 for a test/project grade. • TOPICS ARE…

Topics – The James Clemens Campus – write about how the school is set up and why it is advantageous for the members of the classes when they come together as one student body. – James Clemens Representatives – write about a specific person or leadership figure in the school responsible for sending messages out to the community. Describe his/her role and why he/she is important to the student body. – Laws: For and by the students: Write about how laws for the student body should be written and decided upon. Don’t write the laws themselves – simply come up with a system for writing and maintaining them. – The Classes: Write about the role of each class – their responsibilities, characteristics, etc. – Leaders: Describe the qualities required in order to be a leader of a class. – The Celebrations: Write about 4 -5 celebrations you think are important enough to the culture of the school that they are required to happen every year, and why (Pep rallies? Dances? Performances? ) – The Symbols: Design a JCHS Symbol (NOT the Jet which has already been designed) and explain what it represents. •

DUE WEDNESDAY 9/5/12 • Typed • MLA format • Rough Drafts attached • 70 total points