The Process

First, you will be assigned to a group of 5 students.  Each of you must decide on a different Iroquois tribe to research.  All the information you need for your research should be found here within this WebQuest.  Follow the links to the different web sites.  You may want to take notes along the way.

Learn all that you can about the tribe that you have chosen.  Where they live, the foods they eat, their rituals and ceremonies, their leaders, what they did for recreation, etc.   Complete the diagram provided filling in the various details you learn about the tribe you have chosen.  Also look at the links relating to conflict resolution and Resolving Conflicts Productively (note: link does not work as of 22-Jul-2005).  (Interesting sites about treaties: Lessons from History, Wampum - Treaties, Sacred Records )Create a MS Power Point presentation based on this diagram.  Include descriptions and pictures where appropriate.

With the members of your group, discuss the similarities and differences between the different tribes of the Iroquois.  Answer the following questions:  (follow the link to print the questions)

1. Where were the different tribes located in relation to each other?  
2. How were they formed into one nation?  
3. What was the purpose of forming a nation of one?  
4. What are the different ways to resolve conflict?  
5. What is the purpose of having rules and laws?  
6. In what ways did the Iroquois resolve conflicts that arose within the nation and/or with the various people that settled in the region where they lived? 
7. Who was the peacekeeper and/or the rule enforcer?  
8. Does their philosophy about the earth and the spirits relate to their methods for conflict resolution? 

Based on the discussion with your group, write a report in MS Word.  The report should be at least 1 page, single-spaced, with 2-4 paragraphs.  Describe the different tribes of the Iroquois.  Based on what you have learned yourself and as a group, comment on the conflict between the Indians and the “white man”.  How could we best apply their principles of conflict resolution to the world today?    What are the ways we resolve conflict today that might have been used then?  Of the things you learned about the tribe you chose, what items truly represent these people?

Lastly, as a group, create a wampum belt that signifies the Iroquois people.  Other links to samples:  wampum, OAC Wampum Belt Homepage (note: link does not work as of 22-Jul-2005).