Woodland Iroquois Native Americans for Kids and Teachers Illustration

Woodland Iroquois Native Americans in Olden Times for Kids

Who were the Iroquois?

There is a huge geographic area in the northeastern part of the United States that is known as the Woodlands. The Woodlands include all five great lakes - Lake Ontario, Erie, Huron, Michigan, and Superior - as well as the Finger Lakes and the Saint Lawrence River.

No early people had it easy, but the Woodland Region certainly offered many opportunities to find food and shelter. There were wild fruits and vegetables. There was plenty of wood available from birch, oak, elm, fir, and maple trees to use as firewood and to make homes and tools.

As early people wandered into the Woodland Region, many stayed. Thousands of years later, when European colonists began moving into the same area, they called these early people the Woodland Indians. By the time the European colonists arrived, there were many different groups of people who made their home in the Woodlands.

Today, the Iroquois people live like their non-Indian neighbors, but they still enjoy many of their old traditions. Click on the links below to explore the Iroquois Nations in olden times.

Creation Myth: Wise Owl - (word format, retold by Lin Donn)
Wise Owl (PowerPoint format, retold by Lin Donn, illustrated by Phillip Martin)

The Invisible Warrior, retold by Lin Donn, illustrated by Phillip Martin

What did the Iroquois eat?

Farming and Agriculture

The Three Sisters

Wild Foods - Hunters and Gatherers

Storing Food

Here's a recipe for Iroquois boiled corn bread.
Try it. It's good!

Maple Syrup Candy Recipe

More Recipes

How did the Iroquois live?

Clans

Sacred Trees

Snow Snake Games

Longhouses

Marriage and Family Life

Clothing & Hair Styles

Religion, the Great Spirit, and the False Face Society

Wampum

Travel

Warriors, Weapons, Battle Techniques

What is the Iroquois League of Nations?

The Green Corn Festival

Games

Return to the NE Indians Index
Native American for Kids