Onondaga Council facts for kids
The Onondaga Council helps govern the Onondaga people, who are a self-governing nation. They are one of six nations that make up the Iroquois people. The Onondaga Nation lives on part of its traditional land. They have their own special laws, language, customs, and culture.
The Onondaga Nation government does not pay income, sales, or excise taxes to New York State or the U.S. federal government. Because of this, they also do not receive benefits that are paid for by these taxes.
The Onondaga Nation Today
The Onondaga Nation is an independent nation. There is also a larger group called the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. This Confederacy does not have a formal political role today.
The Grand Council of the Iroquois League is made up of 56 leaders called Hoyenah (or chiefs/sachems). All chiefs have an equal voice when making decisions. The number of chiefs from each of the Six Nations on the council is:
- 14 Onondaga
- 10 Cayuga
- 9 Oneida
- 9 Mohawk
- 8 Seneca
- 6 Tuscarora
These chiefs make important decisions to protect their people. They think about how each decision will affect their people for the next seven generations into the future. This shows how much they care about the future of their community. A special leader called The Great Peacemaker guides the Council in a symbolic way.
How Decisions Are Made
The Onondaga Hoyane (chiefs) are divided into three separate groups. These groups work together to make decisions by reaching a full agreement, which is called "consensus." When all three groups agree, their decision is said to be "Of One Mind."
A person serves as a Hoyane for life. The "Clan Mother" helps to find and choose leaders in the community to serve in this important position.
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