Iroquoia

The territory of the Iroquoian peoples was called Iroquoia. (L’Iroquoisie by the French.) The majority of its inhabitants lived in the Great Lakes* lowlands region and water basin.  This region is near and around Lakes Ontario, Erie and Huron, which all empty into the St. Lawrence River. Only one nation is believed to have settled in the St. Lawrence Valley at this time; the St. Lawrence Iroquoians.

The St. Lawrence Iroquoians lived where Montréal and Québec City are today, and fished as far away as the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 

Iroquoia was surrounded by Algonquin territory. This can be seen on the map below.

Iroquoia would have been a territory that today makes up part of two Canadian provinces, Ontario and Québec, and a small part of the north-eastern United States!

Author: Service national du Récit de l’univers social

 

* Great Lakes –  These are the group of five large lakes that begin the St. Lawrence River.  They are called Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario.

 
 


Important concepts and big ideas:

Adapt to the environment – S’adapter à l’environnement
Language family – Famille de langues
Lowland – Basses-terres
Water Basin – Bassin d’eau

 

Quickly check your knowledge: