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The constitution of the U.S. is largely influenced by several concepts and even principles that are normally enclosed in the Iroquois Confederacy kind of governance, which is found in the Native American mythology (Drake, 2001). It is evident that Mahawk Indians concepts form the basis of United States governmental system in terms of the U.S. constitution. Many commentators believe that the governing as well as operation of the U.S. is copied from the Iroquois Confederacy form of power system. This implies that the Native Indians or Mahawk Indians played a very significant role in formulating a constitution, which would be used several centuries later to govern U.S. as the constitution (Vile, 2005).
One of the major concepts found in this Mahawk Indian’s governance system is the tradition of this Iroquois League, which served as their constitution during their existence. The Iroquois league was specifically written in the year 1912 with the intention of addressing issues associated with the community’s governance and power system (Vile, 2005). Additionally, it served as the greatest binding law or law of peace, where each nation had to elect a number of delegates or sachems, who represented their communities in all internal affairs. The Confederacy Grand Council met on regular basis to discuss various issues of common concern such as peace, treaty-making, and even war.
It is obvious that Iroquois Confederacy and the U.S. Constitution have several similarities and differences in terms of philosophies in their articles of governance. They both defined person, who was most powerful leader in their communities. Moreover, they both stated that the countries or states ruled by either confederacy or the U.S constitution should not fight each other since the great law represents peace. In the Iroquois Confederacy, words such Kaihwiyoh (Good message), Shenu (Peace), and Katshatstehsae (Power) were words all used to unify the separate states nation of Iroquois (Bell & Paterson, 2009). In both constitutions, there is evidence of delegates being elected and appointed to represents their communities or people of their states. Even though the U.S constitution had members of the congress and a federal government, its form adequately resembled the Iroquois in various areas. On the other hand, they both have areas where they tend to differ. For instance, Iroquois Constitution of these Five Nations was parallel in paragraph 84, which dealt with the right of the self-determination, the 99th paragraph which stipulated the government by the people (Bell & Paterson, 2009). Additionally, differences are witnessed in paragraph 98, which states about the definite provisions for the consent of those governed and is controlled by those governed. Paragraph 99 also guarantees the freedom of worship and religion, while paragraph 33 asserts the process by which any chief may be replaced upon death or dismissal (Drake, 2001).
Initially, even in the presence of any argument of the renowned influence particularly by the Iroquois confederation concerning these Founding Furthers, it is clear that the resultant inclusion of numerous of the concepts as well as premises of the so called Iroquois Law, which is within United States Constitution, obviously there is still an oversight of the effect in the scholarly work viewed in 1994 (Drake, 2001). Acknowledgement of intellectual contributors such Locke and Scottish on moral sense of Philosophy, economic theories mainly developed by the British, and deistic natural religion may find it some biasness (Vile, 2005). Sadly, not even a single word is mention to show gratitude to the Mahawk Indians or Native Americans, who are considered as the American persona.
References
Bell, C. E., & Paterson, R. K. (2009). Protection of First Nations cultural heritage: Laws, policy, and reform. Vancouver: UBC Press.
Drake, R. B. (2001). A history of Appalachia. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky.
Vile, J. R. (2005). The Constitutional Convention of 1787: A comprehensive encyclopedia of America's founding. Santa Barbara, Calif. [u.a.: ABC-CLIO.
