RESOURCES - Glossary

A
antlers - These are placed on the chiefs headdress to show title in his community.
arrows - Symbol used to show the union of the 5 nations as they are bundled together.

B
beans - One of the 3 sisters. These foods give life to the people.
bear - One of the 9 Onondaga Clans.
beaver - One of the 9 Onondaga Clans.

C
Cayuga - People of the Swamp
chief - Hoya'neh
clan - The way families are identified. Each person receives their clan from their mother.
clan mother - Goya'neh
corn - One of the 3 sisters. These foods give life to the people.

D
deer - One of the 9 Onondaga Clans.

E
eagle - The Peacemaker placed the eagle on top of the tree of peace to warn the Haudenosaunee to warn of any dangers.
eel - One of the 9 Onondaga Clans.

F
Firekeepers - One of the duties of the Onondaga Nation is to keep the council fire burning.

G
George Washington - Hanadaga'yas

H
Haudenosaunee - People of the Longhouse
hawk - One of the 9 Onondaga Clans.
heron - One of the 9 Onondaga Clans.

I
Iroquois - Haudenosaunee
Indian - citizens of India

J

K

L
lacrosse - The "Creator's Game"
Longhouse - Ganuhsesgeh

M
Moccasin - Ahdahgwa'onhweh or The Real Shoes
Mohawks - Keepers of the Eastern Door

N

O
Oneida - People of the Standing Stone
Ononda'ge'gah - People of the Hills - The Firekeepers

P
Peacemaker - The Peacemaker traveled throughout the 5 nations and united the 5 nations to live in peace and harmony.

Q

R
rattle - Usually made out of an animal horn and is used in songs.

S
Seneca - Keepers of the Western Door
Six Nations - Haudenosaunee
snipe - One of the 9 Onondaga Clans.
snow snake - A winter game where men throw thin wooden snakes down a track of snow the furthest.

T
Turtle - One of the 9 Onondaga Clans.
turtle rattle - A sacred rattle used in ceremonies.

U

V

W
wampum - method to record events made out of purple and white shells.

XYZ