The Seneca Indians

Justin Sommers

Brad Ellsworth

Malachi Murphy

The Seneca Indians

• Relied on corn, squash, and beans• Also hunted and fished• Highly skilled at warfare• Known as the keeper of the west • One of the 6 tribes to make up the Iroquois

Culture

• Lived in longhouses• Could be 100 feet long, covered with bark, and could fit a clan up to

60 people• Farmed• Fished, hunted• Bows and arrows, spears• Ate beaver, moose, raccoons, buffalo

Home Life

• Official language was Ogwehowen• First occupied that part of west New York between Seneca

lake and Geneva river • Participated in ritual cannibalism• Tortured their prisoners• Had a constitution between 5 of the 6 tribes• Mohawks and tattoos

History

• American revolution• War of 1812

Wars

• Red Jacket (1758 - 1830)• Cornplanter (1740 – 1836)• Destroy Town • Handsome Lake (1735 – 1815)• Brother to cornplanter• Blacksnake (1760 – 1859)• Ely Parker (1828 – 1895)

Leaders

• Furs• Weapons• Pipes• Food

Trade

• Started in the 1980’s with bingo• Now recognized as a casino• Buffalo New York and Seneca Niagara

Gambling