MOHAWK’S

History & Culture

The Kanyenke’haka, more commonly known as the Mohawk tribe, were the most North Eastern tribe in the Six Nations and inhabited New York (Abler). They were fierce warriors and were respected by their neighboring tribes (Richter 528).

Wartime was a very important time to the Mohawks because it was chance for young men to prove and establish themselves within the tribe (Richter 530). Women also had a huge part to play in time of war by participating in war councils (Curtis 11-18). Men were in charge of hunting and fighting while the women farmed (Abler).

Families lived in large longhouses, in which these structures were used for both housing and for important gathers (Abler). They would also house council meetings in which the eldest women of the tribe would decide on a new leader (Curtis 11-18).

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The Revolutionary War

After European settlement, the tribe began to trade and establish relationships with the British. In the beginning of the Revolutionary War, the Mohawk tribe, like many other tribes, wanted to remain neutral (Schmidt 128). However, due to the tribes trading relationship with Britain and their land and villages in danger of the colonies, the Mohawks sided with Britain (Abler). The Mohawk Chief, Joseph Thayendaneken, led the tribes warriors and helped the British in key battles such as the Battle of Oriskany and Fort Stanwix (Schmidt 117-126). Chief Thayendaneken hoped to regain tribal land from the colonies, but after Britain lost the war, Thayendaneken moved his people north into Canada to settle in British territory in 1789 (Schmidt 117-131).