Gantowisas
The Gantowisas or Clan Mothers in council were female officials among the Six Nations who enjoyed political, economic, religious and social powers. They conferred or retracted citizenship, called or ended wars, appointed war chiefs, named and impeached officials and set the agenda of the Six Nations Grand Council.

Gayanashagowa
Gayanashagowa, the Great Binding Law of the Six Iroquois Nations is the founding constitution of the Iroquois Confederacy. An oral tradition, it is codified in a series of wampum belts now in the keeping of the Onondaga Nation in New York. Gayanashagowa defines the duties of officials and the functions of the Six Nations Grand Council. It describes the way in which the aboriginal nations may resolve disputes between themselves and maintain peace.

Haudenosaunee
Also known as the Iroquois League, the Haudenosaunee or Six Nations Confederacy is made up of six Iroquoian-speaking nations, the Mohawk, Onondaga, Seneca, Cayuga, Oneida, and Tuscarora. The Six Nations are bound together by a common constitution called Gayanashagowa or Great Binding Law.

Sachem
Sachem were tribal leaders among the Iroquoian Nations of North America. The leading women of each clan appointed them. The Sachem represented their clan at tribal council meetings. It was also their duty to uphold tribal laws and customs and to settle disputes.

Turtle Island
According to the creation story of Iroquoian-speaking peoples, the world was created on the back of a giant spirit turtle swimming on an endless black sea. Today, some Iroquois refer to the entire Earth as "Turtle Island." To other Iroquois, only North America is "Turtle Island."