Chiefs In Native American Society

[which doctor]

What role did "indian chiefs" play in a tribal setting in native American history?

Did they have all-encompassing power? or were they mainly a spokesman for the tribe?

How were chiefs chosen? was it hereditary?

Is the word "chief" inaccurate to describe their position within the tribe?

[Entrails Konfetti]

I remember seeing a photo of your somewhere with your head lying on Origins of Private Property, Family and the State, this book would help explain the role what indian chiefs played.

If I remember correctly there were two chiefs, or they had two roles, the secretary of the councils of representatives, and during war the commander of the forces. But I think they were rovakable. I remember that in the longhouses of the Iroquois if the chiefs wouldn't do what they were supposed to do in the house by orders of the matriarchy, they'd be kicked out, stripped of their rank, and have to find some other longhouse to live.

[Janus]

What role did "indian chiefs" play in a tribal setting in native American history?
Chiefs were more or less titles made up by whites and didn't really exist in Indian societies. It was done so that deals could be better made and so they could cheat the tribes.

There were elders for advice and councils that were usually put together to decide something (usually something major). That was pretty much it. Native American life was much more egalitarian than European life.


Did they have all-encompassing power?
NO. Indian groups did have war chiefs but even they could not force someone to do something but simply ask or suggest things.


How were chiefs chosen? was it hereditary?
Chosen by whites. War chiefs were chosen by the warriors based on skill and experience.


Is the word "chief" inaccurate to describe their position within the tribe?
Yes. Native American culture was extremely difficult for the early whites to grasp and they did not realize that the natives had no such things as kings or queens.

[bayano]

whoa, slow the bus down. if theres one place to start with this question, it is that there were hundreds, thousands of nations/tribes of native americans, and they had a great variety of different political systems, so when you make any statement about how an indigenous nation had such and such a number of chiefs, back it up with which nation youre speaking of

[Morag]

Originally posted by [email protected] 12 2006, 04:07 PM
whoa, slow the bus down. if theres one place to start with this question, it is that there were hundreds, thousands of nations/tribes of native americans, and they had a great variety of different political systems
Good point! There are hundreds of different nations to discuss. For instance, I'm fairly sure the Haida had hereditary chiefs going back centuries before European exposure, and the Aztecs didn't have cheifs but what is akin to Emperors! The Mississipian cultures also had very strong leaders, but I can't recall if they were elected or not. While the Iroquois was a nation of matrilinieal, hereditary leaders for day-to-day and elected male "war chiefs" for war (I heard somewhere that they were basically like current day commanders, just told what to do by the Council, and not allowed any input, but I'm not too clear on the issue).

Maybe if you had a specific nation or group that you were interested in, it would help.

[AK47]

From what I can remember from my readings and college classes involving Native American tribes, Native society was pretty much based off of Anarchical rule. They had tribe leaders, but they were followed voluntarily This is not to say a tribal elder could not persuade some one personally to say go to war with another tribe, or relocate to better hunting grounds and so on. The leaders were mutually agreed leaders for perceived wisdom or intellect, not actually voted into any kind of office, just respected enough to listen to.

[bcbm]

Originally posted by [email protected] 12 2006, 10:07 AM
whoa, slow the bus down. if theres one place to start with this question, it is that there were hundreds, thousands of nations/tribes of native americans, and they had a great variety of different political systems, so when you make any statement about how an indigenous nation had such and such a number of chiefs, back it up with which nation youre speaking of
Thank you, exactly what I was going to say. The idea of all indian nations as one thing or another plays into a European colonialist mindset.

[Janus]

whoa, slow the bus down. if theres one place to start with this question, it is that there were hundreds, thousands of nations/tribes of native americans, and they had a great variety of different political systems
Yeah, my mistake. I should've specified that I was talking more about North American groups.