.gif)
Figure
38, from Exemplar
of Liberty, Native America and the Evolution of Democracy,
Chp.11, "The Persistence of an Idea, Impressions of Iroquois liberty after the eighteenth century"
Chp.11, "The Persistence of an Idea, Impressions of Iroquois liberty after the eighteenth century"
I reviewed the website, Six
Nations: The Oldest Living Democracy on Earth. The viewpoint that I focused on
is how the Iroquois have equality between men and women. The women’s suffrage
movement used the Iroquois women as an example of feminist liberty. A powerful
quote from the “The Persistence of an Idea” states that, "our barbarian
ancestors seem to have had a higher degree of justice to women than American
men in the 19th century, professing to believe, as they do, in our republican
principles of government.” It was during that time period when women had no
right and were simply regarded to as their husband’s property. The information
contained in this website has only strengthened my positive perspective on
Native culture. The Iroquois lived by traditions with more equality between the
sexes. Such as the descent through the female line, the ability of women to
nominate male leaders. Women had a veto power over decisions to go to war, and
the woman had supreme authority in the household. Additionally, Iroquois women
had rights to their property and children after divorce. It is interesting to
note that the in European society women were disregarded and there was more
crime to done to women. Such a spousal abuse and rape. However, the Iroquois
culture did not have instances of rape. This can be tied to the treatment of
women of in their culture. If one group of people is thought to be less than
they won’t be respect or given fair treatment. I could imagine that European
men were threatened by the rights Native women had. They would not want to lose
their control and authority over women.
Reference:
Grinde, Donald A., and Bruce E. Johansen. "Chp.11,
"The Persistence of an Idea, Impressions of Iroquois Liberty After the
Eighteenth Century"." Exemplar of Liberty, Native America and the
Evolution of Democracy,. 1990. N. pag. The Six Nations: Oldest Living
Participatory Democracy On Earth. Web. 4 June 2014.
Hi Katie!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your post. Based on the reading, I had determined that native women were treated more equally than Western women but the information you provided really helped to solidify that belief. It is a saddening and interesting topic to think about how women (both in the past and now) have been treated and what could be contributing to them being viewed as lesser beings. It is truly admirable that natives supported equality in so many different areas of life.
Great picture! And you are completely correct about the fear that colonial women might be able to argue for their own rights when they came into contact with tribes in which women possessed equal rights. In my tribe, divorce was as easy as moving out of the marital home - for such things as spousal abuse, lack of support. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteIt interesting to read how other interpret informtaion in reagards to Iroquois people. I know for my tribe that women couldn't vote in elections. In 1964 "Martha Flemmang presented a petition containing 162 signatures to Council" (www.sni.org). On May 23, 1964 a refernedum vote was held and it was passed that woman finally had the right to vote with a total of 169-99. So even though throughout history women have always had a say when the form of government changed woman lost their voice in a way.
ReplyDeleteThere has never been a female President for tribe. We elect a President every two years any switch from the Cattaruaugs Territory to the Allegnay Territory. In the November general election the president will come from the Allegany Territory and there has been talk of 2 woman who would like to run. It will be interesting to see how it all comes out.
https://www.sni.org/news/2014/05/celebrating-50-years-"seneca-woman's-right-to-vote"/