- Definition
A clan mother is a respected female leader in some Indigenous communities, who often helps choose new leaders and makes sure decisions benefit everyone in the family or group.
In Haudenosaunee communities, the clan mother is responsible for selecting the next chief.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: In Haudenosaunee governance, a Clan Mother has important responsibilities within her clan and Nation.
Ask your child: Why should we learn about Haudenosaunee governance from Haudenosaunee sources?
Common mix-up: Roles and responsibilities are rooted in Haudenosaunee laws and community relationships. They should not be generalized to all Indigenous Nations or compared too simply to roles in a family or sports team.
Examples
- A clan mother can remove a chief from power if he is not making good decisions for the people.
- The clan mother holds important cultural knowledge and teaches it to the younger generation.
clan mother is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
