Onondaga Council facts for kids
| Abbreviation | None |
|---|---|
| Formation | Ancient |
| Type | Sovereign Native American government |
| Purpose | Governance of the Onondaga Nation |
| Headquarters | Onondaga Nation Territory, New York |
|
Official language
|
Onondaga, English |
|
Hoyane (Chief)
|
Varies (elected for life) |
|
Main organ
|
Grand Council |
|
Parent organization
|
None |
The Onondaga Council is the government for the Onondaga Nation. The Onondaga are one of the six nations of the Iroquois people. They live on their traditional lands. They have their own laws, language, and ways of life. This means they are a sovereign nation. They make their own decisions.
The Onondaga Nation government does not pay taxes to New York State. They also do not pay taxes to the United States federal government. Because of this, they do not receive benefits paid for by these taxes.
Contents
The Onondaga Nation Today
The Onondaga Nation is an independent nation. There is a larger group called the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. This group connects the different nations. However, it does not have a formal political role today.
The Grand Council of Chiefs
The Grand Council of the Iroquois League is made of 56 leaders. These leaders are called Hoyenah or Sachems. All chiefs have an equal voice in decisions. The seats on the council are divided among the Six Nations like this:
- 14 Onondaga
- 10 Cayuga
- 9 Oneida
- 9 Mohawk
- 8 Seneca
- 6 Tuscarora
The chiefs make choices to protect their people. They think about how their decisions will affect the next seven generations. This means they plan far into the future. A respected leader called The Great Peacemaker guides the Council.
How Onondaga Leaders Make Decisions
The Onondaga Hoyane (chiefs) work in three separate groups. They make decisions by talking until everyone agrees. When they all agree, it is called being "Of One Mind." A person serves as a Hoyane for their whole life. A "Clan Mother" helps to find community leaders for this important role.
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