Clan Mother

Clanmothers are the Elder Women of an Iroquois Clan, who are in charge of appointing Tribal Chiefs and Faithkeepers.

Each clan should have one Clanmother who should all work together. Each clanmother has a Faithkeeper who is responsible for ceremonial preparations, weddings, funerals, and other rituals. The Clanmothers are usually the elder women, who are wise and have experienced many years. Clanmothers control the nation. They are considered the life givers.Not only did they appoint thetribal chief (also called the hoyaneh) but they also watched them during all meetings judging them fairly to make sure they were not voting for themselves, but the whole tribe. If one did not meet these expectations, he would immeadiatly get thrown out of power and the clan mother would choose a new hoyaneh. It was a great shame to be kicked out of power by the clan mothers.^[1]

References

1. ^ Loretta Kemsley, MATRIARCH: An Iroquois Celebration of Womanhood