Papers on Historical Algonquian and Iroquois Topics by David A. Ezzo

by A. Ezzo David

The first paper by Ezzo called "Female Status in the Northeast" discusses the historical roles of Native women in several Algonquian groups the Wabanaki, the Delaware, the Shawnee and the Montagnais. The Iroquois are also covered. The second paper by Ezzo is titled "The Shawnee Prophet and Handsome Lake". This paper's primary purpose is to compare and contrast the Revitalization movements of the Shawnee Prophet and Handsome Lake. Overholt's model of the prophetic process is also applied. The third paper by Ezzo is titled "Female Status and the Life A Cross-Cultural perspective from Native North America." This paper explores the central relationship between Female Status and the Life Cycle. The fourth paper, by Ezzo and Moskowitz is titled "Delaware Indian Land Claims- A Historical and Legal Perspective." As the title implies, this paper reviews the Delaware tribe in both a historical and legal context. The fifth paper by Ezzo and Moskowitz is titled "The Stockbridge Munsee Land A Historical and Legal Perspective". The sixth paper by both Ezzo and Moskowitz is titled "The Delaware Participation in the American Civil War". This paper discusses the Delaware role in the Civil War by two volunteer regiments of the Kansas Cavalry- Company E of the 15th and Company M of the 6th. The seventh paper by Ezzo and Moskowitz is titled "Black Beaver." This paper discusses Black Beaver's (a Delaware Chief) role in both the Mexican War and the Civil War. The eighth paper by Ezzo is titled "Female Status and Anthropological Theory." In this paper the theoretical literature on Female Status is discussed. The topics addressed in the paper include" The Victorian Image of Female, Female Status and Life Cycle, Male aggressiveness and dominance, Missionary effects on female status, children's socialization, public vs. private activity spheres, female status and the world system, fraternal inter-group strength, post-marital residence, and production relations. The ninth paper by Ezzo is titled "A Model for Female Status". This paper proposes a model for Female status that is applied to four Algonquian groups-the Wabanaki, the Delaware, the Shawnee and the Montagnais. The three basic parts of the model 1)the Life Cycle 2)Resource Control and 3) Structural Factors of a given Society.

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First published June 8, 2007

Reviews

[David Luby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this paper to be interesting, informative, and well documented. It was obvious the writers did extensive research to ensure this paper was accurate in all accounts of the heritage of the Algonquin and Iroquois. The paper does an exceptional job of explaining the key influence of females of age had in the tribes. Females served in variety of functions and influenced war chiefs, supervised affairs, and served on leadership council. What is also interesting is the role settlers played developing the Indian culture. Many religious and socialistic Structure were adopted by the tribes. Which included diminishing the leadership role of females over time.
The authors also point out some key figures who influence the tribes. Including Handsome Lake who stressed the importance of nuclear family, religion, including emphasis on confession, the introduction of a higher God along w/ the introduction of heaven and hell. All of these things show influence from Christianity and illustrate that Handsome Lake’s reforms resulted in a new form of Iroquois’s religion that blended traditional elements with some new features borrowed from influences Christianity.
Black Beaver was also an important Indian leader. Who had major influence on the Civil War, he provided exemplary service and was a true friend to the army for many years. Unfortunately he was duped and never compensated for the loss he suffered when Confederate troops seized his farm and destroyed his live stock.
Well done!