For the most part the Haudenosaunee way of life was built upon a series of values. Values like respect for all including the natural world and respect for the seventh generation of children. The Haudenosaunee lived off the land and what was provided for them by the Creator (165kb/1sec)
. They wanted for nothing as they could attain what they needed from their crops and the food they hunted, gathered or fished.
Haudenosaunee (178kb/2sec) communities consisted of several long, bark covered structures called long houses. These cylindrical buildings often up to 200 feet long housed entire families all linking back to one common female ancestor. There were no locks on doors or really any doors other than flaps of hides. Stealing was nonexistent as the moral shame of it was enough to keep anyone from trying.
Crime in general was not a problem leaving little need for police or prisons. Murder however was at one time punishable by death. In that time the family of the murderer would offer the victim’s family white wampum as repentance. If the victim’s family accepted it the murderer was forgiven. If not the family was allowed to punish the murderer.
Unlike the Europeans of the time Haudenosaunee children had a prominent voice within the communities. Children were educated by their Elders in the traditional teachings and stories were used as a way to create their individual awareness of the importance of culture and community.
Also in opposition to the European settlers the Haudenosaunee viewed woman as leaders within the communities. Perhaps the most significant difference was that Haudenosaunee families are matriarchal with the women controlling the main titles and passing them on to the men. Both men and women had their roles within the community with the men acting as the hunters and protectors and the women managing the household. Even children had their chores working in the fields or learning various skills to help them in adulthood.
Viewed often by settlers as savages needing to be taught the civilized ways of the Europeans it was the settlers who took many traits from the Haudenosaunee. The game of lacrosse observed early on has been adapted into one of Canada’s national sports and even the treatment and stature of women among the Haudenosaunee was used as a basis for women suffragists. Throughout the years since contact non-Aboriginal people have tried to assimilate the Haudenosaunee but the traditions have lived on with Haudenosaunee culture influencing that of the non-Aboriginal.