Gary Hoyer: I would like to find out about my Iroquoian heritage

From: Gary Hoyer gary_hoyer@medicalogic.com>
To: "'helen@mkl.com'" <helen@mkl.com>

Subject: Iroquois people

Hello,
My name is Gary Hoyer and I live in Beaverton, Oregon. My mother was half
Iroquois and my grandmother a Iroquois native. My father was part Shoshonee,
so needless to say I have a lot of Indian blood in me. I've been able to
find out a lot about my fathers heritage and the Shoshonee, but haven't been
able to find out much about my Iroquois heritage.

My mother was left in a train station when she was 1 or 2 and was raised by the railroad engineer who found her. When my mother was a teenager she was able to find her birth mother and father, but unfortunately they passed on before I was born. My mother passed away very unexpectedly about 3 years ago, before I could get any other information about them.

I would like to know more about the Iroquois and try and find out if I have any distant relatives. All I know is my grandmothers married surname was Hartwig.

If you could direct me to an area where I can continue my search, I'd be greatly appreciative.

Thanks - Gary

Reply from John Fadden, Onchiota, NY

Hello Gary,

This is in response to your efforts to track down your Iroquois roots. The Iroquois are a confederacy of nations composed the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora. The chances are that your Iroquoian grandmother came from one of the communities of the Iroquois. Here is a listing of those communities, and following that is a partial list of councils of those communities:

Haudenosaunee/Iroquois     Communities and Locations

        Community - Nation - (state/province)

        Kanesatake - Mohawk - (Quebec)

        Kahnawake - Mohawk - (Quebec)

        Tyendinaga - Mohawk - (Ontario)

        Wenta/Gibson - Mohawk - (Ontario)

        Oneida on the Thames River - Oneida - (Ontario)

        Ohsweken/Six Nations/Grand River -
                Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga,
                Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora - (Ontario)

        Akwesasne/St. Regis - Mohawk - (Quebec, Ontario & New York State)

        Ganienkeh - Mohawk - (New York State)

        Kanatsiohareke - Mohawk - (New York State)

        Oneida/Thirty-two acres - Oneida - (New York State)

        Onondaga - Onondaga      (New York State)

        Tonawanda - Seneca - (New York State)

        Tuscarora - Tuscarora   (New York State)

        Cattaraugus - Seneca & Cayuga - (New York State)

        Allegany - Seneca - (New York State)

        Cornplanter - Seneca - (Pennsylvania)

        Oneida/near Greenbay - Oneida - (Wisconsin)

        Seneca & Cayuga - Seneca & Cayuga - (Oklahoma)

Number of communities within states & provinces:

New York -      9 (including Akwesasne)
Ontario -       4 (not including Akwesasne)
Quebec -        2 (not including Akwesasne)
Pennsylvania - 1
Wisconsin -     1
Oklahoma -      1
               --
   Total:      18

-----------------------------------------

Iroquois Councils within boundaries of New York State:

Cayuga Nation of Indians
POBox 11
Versailles, NY 14168

St. Regis Mohawk Tribe
St. Regis Mohawk Indian Reservation
Hogansburg, NY 13655
(518) 358-2272

Mohawk Nation at Akwesasne
Box 366
Rooseveltown, NY 13683-0366
(518) 358-3381
Fax (518) 358-3488

Oneida Nation of Indians
RD 1, POBox 60
Nedrow, NY 13120

Oneida Indian Nation
Oneida Nation Territory
223 Genesee St.
Oneida, NY 13421

Onondaga Nation of Indians
Onondaga Reservation
Box 319B
Via: Nedrow, NY 13120

Seneca Nation of Indians
Cattaraugus Reservation
1490 Rt. 438
Irving, NY 14081

Seneca Nation of Indians
Allegany Indian Reservation
Box 231
Salamanca, NY 14779

Council of Chiefs
Tonawanda Band of Senecas
7027 Meadville Rd.
Basom, NY 1401
Tuscarora Nation Council
5616 Walmore Road
Lewiston, NY 14092

Iroquois Councils within boundaries of Canada (incomplete list):

Mohawk Council of Kahnawake
POBox 720
Kahnawake, Quebec J0L 1B0
(514) 632-7500
Fax (514) 638-5958

Mohawk Council of Akwesasne
POBox 579
Cornwall, Ontario K6H 5T3
(613) 575-2250
Fax (613) 575-2181

Mohawk Council of Kanesatake
POBox 607
Oka, Quebec J0N 1E0
(514) 479-8373
Fax (514) 479-8249

Your grandmother's surname, Hartwig, doesn't sound like a name common among
the Iroquois. The name undoubtedly is her non-Native husband's surname.

The only other thing that I can do additionally in respect to your inquiry
is to offer a suggested reading list that contains titles of books about
the Iroquois. I will attach that, and in closing offer you good wishes in
your search.

Sincerely,

John Fadden
Six Nations Indian Museum
HCR 1, Box 10
Onchiota, NY 12989

A List of publications concerning Native American Indians with an emphasis
on the Haudenosaunee (Six Iroquois Nations Confederacy):

     Akwesasne Notes, ed. "Basic Call to Consciousness", Rooseveltown, NY:
Akwesasne Notes, 1986.
     Haudenosaunee philosophical/spiritual/political priorities as
expressed in presentations to the Non-governmental Organizations of the
United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland in September of 1977.

     Arden, Harvey. "The Fire That Never Dies". National Geographic 172:3
(September 1987) 375-403.
     Overview of Haudenosaunee history and contemporary realities.

     Barreiro, Jose, ed. "Indian Roots of American Democracy". special
edition: Northeast Indian Quarterly. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University, 1988.

     Evidences supporting Haudenosaunee influences upon the US Constitution
presented by various scholars at a Cornell University symposium during
September 1987.

     Barreiro, Jose and Carol Cornelius. "Knowledge of the Elders: The
Iroquois Condolence Cane Tradition". Northeast Indian Quarterly. Ithaca,
NY: Cornell University, 1991.
     Traditions and symbolism in the Haudenosaunee condolence traditions,
and explanations of various wampum belts and wampum strings.

     Bonvillain, Nancy. "Hiawatha: Founder of the Iroquois Confederacy".
New York, NY: Chelsea House Publishers, 1992.
     Junior High and High School level presentation of the epic story of
the foundation of the Haudenosaunee, League of the Iroquois.

     Bruchac, Joseph. "The Wind Eagle and Other Abenaki Stories".
Greenfield Center, NY: Bowman Books, 1985.
     Collection of stories of the Algonquin speaking Abenaki.

     Bruchac, Joseph, ed. "New Voices From The Longhouse". Greenfield
Center, NY: The Greenfield Review Press, 1989.
     Collection of poems, short stories and essays by contemporary
Haudenosaunee writers.

     Caduto, Michael J. and Joseph Bruchac. "Keepers of the Earth: Native
American Stories and Environmental Activities for Children". Golden, CO:
Fulcrum Publishing, 1988.
     Collection of Native American stories from across the country
accompanied by "lesson plans" relating to the topic expressed in each
story.

     Caduto, Michael J. and Joseph Bruchac. "Keepers of the Animals:
Native American Stories and Wildlife Activities for Childen". Golden, CO:
Fulcrum Publishing,1991.
     Collection of Native American stories from across the country
accompanied by "lesson plans" relating to the topic expressed in each
story, with an emphasis on animals.

     Campisi, Jack and Laurence M. Hauptman. "The Oneida Experience: Two
Perspectives". Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press, 1988.
     Academic monographs concerning the Oneida Nation.

     Churchill, Ward. "A Little Matter of Genocide: Holocaust and Denial in
the Americas 1492 to the Present". San Francisco, CA: City Lights Books,
1997.
     Examination of "revisionist" denial of nazi-perpetrated Holocaust &
the opposing claim of its exclusive "uniqueness," as European backdrop to
demonstration of genocide carried out against American Indians.

     Churchill, Ward. M. Annette Jaimes, ed. "Fantasies of The Master
Race". Monroe, MA: Common Courage Press, 1992.
     Assimilation/Genocide of Native Americans and the role of literature,
film, & cultural stereotyping from within America as it has replaced
"...troops and guns as the relevant tool of colonization."

     Colden, Cadwallader. "History of the Five Nations". Ithaca, NY:
Cornell University Press, 1980 reprint.
     A reprint of a 1727 (Part I) and 1747 (Part II) eye-witness
description of Haudenosaunee government, culture and other observations by
the Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of New York.

     Cornelius, Carol. "The Six Nations Series". Ithaca, NY: American
Indian Program Cornell University, 1990.
     A brief description and history of each of the nations of the
Haudenosaunee with maps, and description
of contemporary realities with indications of present day reservations.

     Deloria, Vine Jr. "Red Earth White Lies: Native Americans and The Myth
of Scientific Fact". New York, NY: Scribner, 1995.
     A Native scholar's critical view of some of the assumptions about
Native America "proven" by methods of western scholarship and the
scientific method, delicately spiced with humour.

     Fenton, William, ed. "Parker on the Iroquois". Syracuse, NY:
Syracuse University Press, 1968.
     Three monographs by Arthur C. Parker published during the early 20th
Century which deal with the Haudenosaunee use of corn and other food
plants, the teachings of the Seneca prophet, Handsome Lake, and a version
of the Kaianerekowa (Iroquois Constitution, Great Law of Peace).

     George-Kanentiio, Douglas M. and Joanne Shenandoah-Tekalihkwa:khwa.
"Skywoman: Legends of the Iroquois". Santa Fe, NM: Clear Light Publishers,
1998.
     Traditional stories of the Haudenosasunee as told by Doug George
(Mohawk) and his wife, Joanne Shenandoah (Oneida). Illustrated by David
Fadden (Mohawk) and his father, John Fadden (Mohawk).

     Graymont, Barbara, ed. "Fighting Tuscarora: The Autobiography of
Chief Clinton Rickard". Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press, 1973.
     Biography of Clinton Rickard, Tuscarora, and his important role as a
contemporary "warrior" defending the rights of his people and others of the
Haudenosaunee against Canada, United States and New York State.

     Grinde, Donald A. "The Iroquois and the Founding of the American
Nation". San Francisco, CA: Indian Historian Press, 1973.
     Evidences the influences upon the United States Constitution by the
Haudenosaunee.

     Grinde, Donald A., and Bruce E. Johansen. "Exemplar of Liberty:
Native America and the Evolution of Democracy". Los Angeles,CA:
University of Los Angeles, American Indian Studies Center, 1991.
     Compilation of the works of two scholars from divergent trails who
speak of the influences upon the thinking of the founding fathers of the
United States Constitution.

     Grinde, Donald A., and Bruce E. Johansen. "Ecocide of Native America:
Environmental Destruction of Indian Lands & Peoples". Santa Fe, NM:
Clear Light Publishers, 1995.
     Environmental degradations of contemporary society and their effects
on Native American lands.

     Hauptman, Lawrence. "The Iroquois Struggle for Survival: World War
II to Red Power". Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press, 1986.
     Political, governmental, and other intrusions from beyond
Haudenosaunee territories during the period of the late 1940's into the
1970's, and the defensive reactions of the People.

     Hutchens, Alma R. "Indian Herbalogy of North America". Boston, MA:
Shambhala, 1991.
     An illusrated encyclopedic guide to more than two hundred medicinal
plants found in North American. Native American traditions are compared
with traditional uses of the same plants among other cultures including
China & Russia.

     Jaimes, M. Annette, Ed., "The State of Native America". Boston, MA:
South End Press, 1992.
     A collection of essays by noted Native American authors, from Vine
Deloria, Jr. to John Mohawk, exploring the circumstances confronted by
Native people in the US, including treaty rights, international status,
land & fishing rights, demography, self-governance, identity, education,
spiritual hucksterism and other topics.

     Jennings, Francis. "The Invasion of America: Indians, Colonialism
and the Cant of Conquest". New York, NY: W. W. Norton and Company, 1975.
     The painful fate of the New England Natives subsequent to the
intrusion of Europeans including "...a land made waste by the diseases and
demoralization introduced by the newcomers." The events presented within
this publication were repeated across this country from the Atlantic to the
Pacific.

     Johannsen, Christina B. and John P. Ferguson. "Iroquois Arts: A
directory of a People and Their Work". Warnerville, NY: The Association
for the Advancement of Native North American Arts and Crafts, 1983.
     Illustration of continued artistic expression by Haudenosaunee in the
form of beadwork, sculpture, basketry, painting, and other creative
expressions of Native culture.

     Johansen, Bruce E. "Forgotten Founders: Benjamin Franklin, The
Iroquois and the Rationale for the American Revolution". Boston, MA: The
Harvard Common Press, 1982.
     Evidences the influences upon the United States Constitution by the
Haudenosaunee.

     Johansen, Bruce E. "Life & Death In Mohawk Country". Golden, Co:
North American Press, 1993.
     A careful analysis of the many factors that caused death & destruction
in 1989-1990 within the Mohawk community of Akwesasne.

     Loewen, James W. "Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American
History Textbook Got Wrong". New York, NY: The New Press, 1995.
     Author's discovery of, in respect to information in history text
books, "...embarrassing amalgam of bland optimism, blind patriotism, and
misinformation pure and simple."   This book includes examples of the
twisted lies and half-truths about Native America, and other inaccurate
presentations of American history.

     Lyons, Oren and John Mohawk, eds. "Exiled in The Land of The Free:
Democracy, Indian Nations, and The U.S. Constitution". Santa Fe: Clear
Light Publishers, 1992.
     Essays by Native and non-Native scholars reflecting Haudenosaunee
history and culture, and the issue of influences upon the US Constitution.

     Maracle, David. "Let's Speak Mohawk", #AFMH10.
     Three audio cassettes and a 112 page book . A beginning-level course
in conversational Mohawk with pronunciation, grammar, structures and
vocabulary. As of August 1998 the price for the aforemention is $49.95.
     ONE THOUSAND USEFUL MOHAWK WORDS DICTIONARY. 154-p. book, $12.95.
     Further information may be gathered from the following:
          Audio-Forum
          Suite LA90A
          96 Broad St.
          Guilford, CT 06437
          1-800-243-1234
          e-mail: 74537.550@Compuserve.Com
          website: http://agoralang.com/audioforum.html

     Morgan, Lewis H. "League of the Ho-de-no-sau-nee or Iroquois". 1851.
New York, NY: Corinth Books, 1962 reprint.
     Mid-19th Century ethnological study of Haudenosaunee written by Lewis
Morgan with much input from the Seneca, Ely Parker.

     Reid, Gerald F. "Mohawk Territory: a Cultural Geography".
Kahnawake, Quebec: Center for Curriculum Development, 1981.
     A geographical and geological text concerning the earth with an
emphasis on the Northeast with Native priorities and attitudes expressed.

     Slapin, Beverly and Doris Seale. "Through Indian Eyes: The Native
Experience in Books for Children". American Indian Studies Center, UCLA,
Los Angeles, CA, 1998.
     Collection of articles regarding 'books about Indians' from a Native
perspective allowing teachers, parents, and librarians to understand subtle
stereotypes & mythology about Natives in children's literature.

     Schaaf, Gregory. "Wampum Belts & Peace Trees". Golden, CO: Fulcrum
Publishing, 1990.
     Schaaf, using previously unknown papers of Colonel George Morgan,
weaves a story of Native Nations of the northeast and their response to the
gathering war clouds of the Revolutionary War.

     Stannard, David E. "American Holocaust". New York. Oxford: Oxford
University Press, 1992.
     The word 'holocaust' brings to mind Nazi Germany, ethnic cleansing in
the former Yugoslavia, and the atrocities committed in contemporary
Rowanda...David Stannard's study informs readers that a holocaust occurred
in the Americas as well, and there were millions of victims between 1492
and 1890.

     Swamp, Jake. "Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning
Message". New York, NY: Lee & Low Books, Inc., 1995.
     The Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address designed for the reading level
of children with colorfulm illustrations by the Tuscarora painter, Irwin
Printup, Jr.

     Stokes, John, and Dan Thompson. "Thanksgiving Address: Greetings to
the Natural World", Corrales, NM, The Tracking Project, nd.
     A pocket-size edition expressing the basic essence of the
Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address, illustrated, and with translations from
English to Mohawk by Dan Thompson.

      Tehanetorens (Ray Fadden), "Legends of the Iroquois", Summertown, TN:
The Book Publishing Company, 1998 reprint.
      Reprint of story pamphlets that were originally published in the late
1930s and 1940s by Ray Fadden. These ancient Haudenosaunee stories are
presented in pictographs with English translation, plus they are supported
by illustrations by the author's son, John Kahionhes Fadden.

     Trigger, Bruce G. ed. "Volume 15 Northeast Handbook of North American
Indians". Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1978.
     Informative academic treatment of Native Nations of the northeast.

     Wagner, Sally Roesch. "The Untold Story of The Iroquois Influence On
Early Feminists." Aberdeen, SD: Sky Carrier Press, 1996.
     Woman's rights movement as it was influence by the rights, obligations
and societal position of women within Native Nations of North America with
an emphasis on the Iroquois Confederacy.

     Wallace, Paul A. W. "The White Roots of Peace". 1946. Santa Fe, NM:
Clear Light Publications, 1994 reprint.
     A classic gem concerning the underpinnings of the Haudenosaunee...the
epic story of the formation of the Confederacy nurtured to fruition by the
Peacemaker and Aionwatha.

     Weatherford, Jack. "Indian Givers: How the Indians of the Americas
Transformed the World". New York, NY: Crown Publishers, 1988.
     Gifts to the world in the form of food plants (3/5 of what we eat
today), medicines, government, inventions and other innovations native to
the western hemisphere have improved living conditions throughout the
world.

     Weatherford, Jack. "Native Roots: How the Indians Enriched America".
New York, NY: Crown Publishers, 1991.
     Native cultures, deeply rooted in American soil, have influenced the
transplanted European society in language, heritage and cultural elements
which has evolved into the modern America we know today.

     Williams, Ted. "The Reservation". Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University
Press, 1976.
     A novel written with the indelible stamp of Native culture and the
reality of early to mid-20th Century.

     Wright, Ronald. "Stolen Continents". New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1992
Tragedies of the Americas since 1492.
     A gut-wrenching account of man's inhumanity to man rendered by the
voices of the victims in expression of the diabolic truth of the European
invasion.

Some of these publications, and others, may be acquired from the following
sources:

Akwesasne Notes Book Store
P. O. Box 366
Mohawk Nation at Akwesasne
via: Rooseveltown, NY          (518) 358-3326
      13683

Native North American Traveling College
RR 3
Cornwall, Ontario, Canada
K6H 5R7                          (613) 932-9452

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