The Micmac V.s. The Iroquois :: essays research papers

The Micmac V.S. The IroquoisAlthough the Micmac and the Iroquois Confederacy are both Aboriginalgroups, they have m all(a) differences as well as similarities. One battlefield of such, istheir traditional justice systems. Their governments and laws are in some wayssimilar, but in many ways different.The Micmac reside in what is now Nova Scotia, eastern bran-new Brunswick,Prince Edward Island, and southern Gaspe. The territory was subdivided in toseven districts. apiece of these districts contained family groupings in smallsettlements based on hunting and fishing. Those from P.E.I. held more territoryin common than any other Micmac district. Their land was allotted by family.The Iroquois were a agricultural people. They lived in permanentvillages in a domain now called southern Ontario, southern Quebec, and north United States. Indian Nations living here formed a formal andlasting confederacy by 1450. Their members were called Ho-De-No-Sau-Nee. Theleague was called Kanonsionni, me aning EXTENDED HOUSE. The first fiver nationsto join the confederacy were Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca.Tuscaroras migrated from Carolina and joined the confederacy in 1722. TheIroquois are bound in a treaty of friendship with the Ojibway to the North.The Micmac government was three-tiered, with local, district, andnational chiefs, or Sagamores. Each settlements council of elders chose alocal chief. The chief was the focus of power in the settlement. The local chiefattained position through both hereditary right and meritorious behavior. Theoldest son of a dead chief was usually given first consideration as a successor.If he was found unfit for office, despite surplus training, others in familyand/or others in the community were considered. These chiefs usually had twoassistants or captains. These were called second and third watchers. They wouldassume command from a sick or incompetent person chief. The local chiefs would convenein a district council and select on e of their numbers to preside over theirmeetings and represent the regions interests. Councils usually met in thespring or fall, and all decisions were based on unanimity.District Sagamores made up the governing body of the Micmac nation. Onedistrict chief would act as Grand Chief. totally three of these types ofchieftainship followed bloodlines as a natural course of leadership ascendency.The people expected their chief to be a man of intelligence, knowledge, dignity,courage, generosity, an able hunter, and sturdy warrior. Leaders ruled throughimpeccable example, not force.The Iroquois confederacy was formalized by a constitution, recorded onwampum belts to preserve the understanding for all generations to follow. Eachnation retained its own council and managed its own local affairs. Generalcontrol was to be lodged in a federal senate, composed of representatives