Grade 6 · Social Studies · Unit 4 of 8
Haudenosaunee Confederacy
Deciding by consensus
What your child practises
The Haudenosaunee Confederacy (Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora), its Great Law of Peace, clan mothers and consensus decisions, in the present tense as living nations. Needs review with Haudenosaunee partners before launch.
Alberta Curriculum learning outcome: Haudenosaunee Confederacy decision making · how the Great Law of Peace, clan mothers and consensus guide the Confederacy
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
How was the Great Law of Peace remembered and shared?
- Through newspapers
- Through radio
- Through speaking and wampum belts
Show answer
Through speaking and wampum belts
Hint: Wampum belts hold records of agreements.
Question 2
Why do some people call the Confederacy the 'Six Nations'?
- Six nations belong to it
- It has six chiefs only
- It began in the year 6
Show answer
Six nations belong to it
Hint: The Tuscarora joined the original five.
Question 3
What is a wampum belt?
- A belt used only for clothing
- A belt of shell beads that records agreements and stories
- A coin of the Crown
Show answer
A belt of shell beads that records agreements and stories
Hint: Wampum helps to remember important agreements.
Question 4
The Great Law asks leaders to think about…
- only trade
- the well-being of the people, including those to come
- only their own clan today
Show answer
the well-being of the people, including those to come
Hint: Many Haudenosaunee people speak of caring for future generations.
Question 5
Clan mothers play an important role in Haudenosaunee governance. What do they do?
- They collect taxes
- They choose the chiefs and can remove one who does not serve well
- They command the army
Show answer
They choose the chiefs and can remove one who does not serve well
Hint: Women hold real authority in the system.
Question 6
How is Haudenosaunee decision making different from majority rule?
- It has no discussion
- It lets one nation decide for all
- It aims for agreement, not just more than half the votes
Show answer
It aims for agreement, not just more than half the votes
Hint: Majority rule can leave a large group unhappy.