Democracy
The American Indian Contribution to U.S. Government
It is a well known fact that the founding fathers of the United States of America consulted with the leaders of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy - also known as the Six Nations of the Iroquois - because they admired their system of government which presented a new concept of democracy and illustrated how a republic functions. There were other forms of democracy in existence in the late 1700's, but in the minds of the founding fathers, none compared to the highly developed, successful and individually liberating democracy of the Six Nations. It is interesting to note that the 'Head-people' of the Six Nations were the Clan Mothers. They were women elders who were the overseers of the communities. Any disputes were brought to the Clan Mothers for resolution. The 'Headmen' among the Six Nations were in charge of the hunting grounds. This was their 'jurisdiction'. There is much more detailed information as to exactly what concepts for a republic - democratic form of government the founding fathers obtained from the Six Nations of the Iroquois. Suffice it to say that the Six Nations provided a significant contribution to the system of government the United States of America operates with today.
It is a well known fact that the founding fathers of the United States of America consulted with the leaders of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy - also known as the Six Nations of the Iroquois - because they admired their system of government which presented a new concept of democracy and illustrated how a republic functions. There were other forms of democracy in existence in the late 1700's, but in the minds of the founding fathers, none compared to the highly developed, successful and individually liberating democracy of the Six Nations. It is interesting to note that the 'Head-people' of the Six Nations were the Clan Mothers. They were women elders who were the overseers of the communities. Any disputes were brought to the Clan Mothers for resolution. The 'Headmen' among the Six Nations were in charge of the hunting grounds. This was their 'jurisdiction'. There is much more detailed information as to exactly what concepts for a republic - democratic form of government the founding fathers obtained from the Six Nations of the Iroquois. Suffice it to say that the Six Nations provided a significant contribution to the system of government the United States of America operates with today.