Director: Christopher Vecsey

Colgate is set among the historic lands of the Iroquois or Haudenosaunee (People of the Longhouse), one of the most powerful and famous confederacies of American Indians.  These peoples -- the Senecas, Cayugas, Onondagas, Oneidas, Mohawks, and Tuscaroras -- live on seven different reservations throughout New York State; several other reservations are located just beyond the borders in Quebec and Ontario.  The Iroquois have a complex history and a vibrant contemporary existence.  They constitute a worthy subject within Native American Studies.  The inherent nature of the study group, with four varied yet complementary courses, allows for a simultaneously broad and intimate study of the Iroquois Nations.

Vanessa Lee '02 (Seneca) listens to Ray Fadden spin a yarn at the Six Nations Iroquois Museum at Onchiota, Fall 2000.

  The On-Campus Study group goes off campus to observe and participate in festivals and social celebrations, and to meet with such prominent figures as clan mothers, artists, museum administrators, environmentalists, NAGPRA commitee members and faithkeepers.  Throughout the semester, Native American studies programming fosters Iroquois presence on campus.  The Longyear Museum hosts an exhibition of Iroquois art.  Iroquois speakers visit classes and speak in public forums.

Academic Preparation

There are no prerequisite courses for the study group. Students may register for one of the required courses; however priority will be given to the students who enroll in both.  Students may elect to take one or both of two related courses: SOAN 353 Field Methods and Interpretation in Archaeology - which is based on Oneida Nation Territory - and EDUC 311 History of Native American Education - which includes the option of service learning in contact with midstate Iroquois school children.

Courses

Required

CORE 188: The Iroquois

This course examines the culture, history, economics, religion, literature, arts, politics and the individual lives of the Iroquois Indians from the period before European contact to the present day.  The Iroquois will be studied in the context of North American ethnohistory, particularly within the United States.  The course will include guest lectures by other Colgate University faculty who have expertise regarding the Iroquois.  In addition, since Colgate University exists in the traditional homeland of the Iroquois and thousands of Iroquois are our neighbors in New York State and its environs, this course will include the testimonies of several Iroquois guest speakers during the term. 

Tom Huff (Seneca - Cayuga) displayed his recent sculpture, demonstrated stone carving techniques and guided students in carving their own objects, Fall 2000.
  ARTS 347: Iroquois Art 

This course examines the art of the Iroquois people from its origins among the prehistoric Eastern Woodlands cultures to contemporary art by members of the six Iroquois nations.  We shall approach this study through readings and discussion; visits to museum collections and Iroquois communities; and conversations with living artists.  We shall address art historical topics as well as the cultural themes and contemporary issues expressed in Iroquois art. 

Chris Vecsey gestures towards sacred ground at the Nichols' Pond archaeological site. The students were accompanied to the site by John Ware, visiting archaeologist from Santa Fe, and local archaeologist Monte Bennett, Fall 2000.
  Optional

EDUC 311: History of Native American Education

This course considers the history of North American Indian education from a variety of perspectives.  Central to discussions will be an analysis of the ways in which Native American societies in the different times and places viewed children and their upbringing.  This course considers education as a process of transmitting culture within Native American societies and between Europeans and Indians.  Readings will include autobiographical and biographical materials about the teachers and students as well as secondary studies of the missionary activities, boarding and days schools, and changing governments policies affecting Indian education.  One aspect of the course encourages students to reflect on Multicultural curricula and cultural diversity in learning styles.  An important component of the course will be a research paper on a topic related to the theme of the course.

Diane Schenandoah (Oneida) hosted the Iroquois study group students in her clay sculpture studio, Fall 2000.
SOAN 353: Field Methods aand Interpretation in Archaeology

This course provides students with hands-on experience in procedures archaeologists employ in collecting, processing and reporting data.  The course revolves around two basic premises: learning about archaeology includes doing archaeology; and doing archaeology involves more than just digging.  Training in archaeological fieldwork and data processing is based upon ongoing research project in the Chenango Valley of Central New York.  Each student has the opportunity to participate in various aspects of the research from excavation and field recording to cataloguing and analysis.  The culmination of the course is a detailed report written by all students in the class based upon their research.  This report is disseminated to the New York State Archaeologist and to other professionals.  Visits to museums and laboratories are integrated into the course.  Class size is limited to fifteen student.  Prerequisite: SOAN 103 or permission of instructor.

Field Trips

Field trips will include visits to Iroquois reservations and communities on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border.  Each field trip encompasses a multi-faceted approach to the study of these local cultures.  Last year, two multi-day field trips were held; all travel, hotel, admission and meal expenses were covered by the university.

  
 

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The border on this page is a detail from a Klickitat Coiled Basket as seen in A Time of Gathering by Robin Wright. For full bibiliographic information see Site Information.