Unit 3.3 Indigenous Peoples Contribution to Development of Liberalism

Big Ideas:

• Appreciate Indigenous peoples contributions to the development of liberalism in Canada.
• Appreciate the impact on citizens and citizenship of the promotion of ideological principles.
• Appreciate the adherence of individual and groups to various ideologies.

Haudenosaunee Confederacy or Iroquois Confederacy

The ideas formed in the past by philosophers and Aboriginal groups allowed for people to question the leaders and monarchs of the time. The thought of having political and economic freedoms motivated people to demand change. The old style of governing by an absolute monarchy is only a memory. Ideological changes and events have occurred throughout history and have shaped the way our world is today.

The Haudenosaunee, or Six Nations of the Iroquois, had a form of governing that respected the value of each individual in that society. Women were equal to men. Many people in their society had important roles in aiding in the function of government. The government was composed of men who came together to represent fifty tribes. These men were selected by many of the women from their tribes. The men who formed the government of the Six Nations Confederacy met to discuss matters of mutual concern with regard to the well-being of all. Everyone was allowed to bring his or her concerns forward to this gathering of chiefs who followed what was called the Great Law of Peace.

According to some historians, some of these ideas were incorporated into the American Declaration of Independence and influenced the liberalism we see in society today. Many say that the Six Nations Confederacy was the first established democracy. All Iroquois nations were represented in this confederacy, and everyone had a say in the decisions.

The Iroquois Confederation is a respected model for political organization. The Founding Fathers of the American Constitution studied it and consulted with the Iroquois Elders when they were framing their national laws.

Historically, the Great Law of Peace was very influential in the development of liberalism. One very important aspect of the Great Law was the individualistic political values. These values were said to be drawn upon by philosophers such as Locke and Rousseau as well as the American Founding Fathers in the writing of the American Declaration of Independence.