American Literature: Gallery Musings

The cherokee women were an important part of the tribe. Women were able to hold authority, supervise land usuage and hold political offices. 

David Cusick wrote the Sketches of Ancient History of the Six Nations c. 1825 as a way to preserve the culture of the Iroquois tribes through text. The text details the creation mythos, alongside over 2000 years of Native American history. This is considered one of the first texts recorded and printed by Natives, and for Natives. 

Following is a map of the Iroquios nation. The Speech at Lancaster claims ownership to much of the land within this map, and discusses with the Europeans how they have tried to maintain friendly relations but are requesting their due claims.

This photo represents Canassatego's Speech at Lancaster. During this speech, this Onondaga Indian went in front of the Governor of Maryland and other colonial government officials to ask for compensation for the land that the Iroquois claimed after defeating the Susquehanna Indians. The government insisted that they had previously purchased the land from the Susquehannas, so they were reluctant to accept Canassatego's claims. Despite their reluctance, Canassatego aims to assert the priority of indigenous claims over those of the English.