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The Roots of the Iroquois

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Roots Of The Iroquois tells of beginnings of the Iroquois Confederacy or the Haudenosaunee, people of the long house, eventually consisting of 6 bands, the Mohawks, Oneida, Onandagas, Cayugas, Senecas, and in the south, the Tuscarorans. These Native American groups established a coalition government with a Great Law Kalianerakowa, or Great Nice Way. Today historians finally are beginning to realize this confederation and system of government was in fact a viable model for the early American thirteen colonies. Illustrated by many exquisite black and white ink drawings and pictures, Roots Of The Iroquois contains both ancient and modern history as well as extensive retellings of the Code of Handsome Lake. The Last Speech of Deskaheh (1925) is very moving, as is the Message To The Folks At Home, an eloquent appeal for education of Indian children, both in their native language and the dominant culture 's language, English. The burden of the Requickening Address is similar, stressing education and the value of learning and preserving one's native language. Reading a Few Laws of the Iroquois Government explains much about the legal regard for women as full partners in Iroquois cultural outlooks. Though brief, Roots Of The Iroquois is a vivid, valuable keystone work.

Nancy Lorraine, Reviewer