Andrew Cotter and Caleb Cotter

Iroquois History and Legends

History EN ↓ 88 episodes

The Iroquois Confederacy. An Indigenous North American civilization with equal rights and representative government that left Europeans in bewilderment. Their influence affected the American free spirit and the modern day woman's rights movement. This show covers the culture, histories and legends of the Haudenosaunee. The People of the Longhouse. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author

Andrew Cotter and Caleb Cotter

Category

History

Podcast website

iroquois.libsyn.com

Latest episode

Sep 4, 2025

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Episodes

68 Dam Nation 04.09.2025

In the 1960s over 10,000 acres of the Seneca Nation's land was to be forcibly acquired by the US government to make way for a dam to protect Pittsburgh from flooding. To the Seneca who lived in the area however they would not take this treaty violation lying down. They would do everything in their power to find a way to save their ancestral lands and their family's homes. Sources Remembering the R...

67 Indigenous Languages 02.02.2025

Join Andrew as he channels his inner word-nerd and talks about how the vocabularies of Native languages influenced English. He also discuses the characteristics of the "Iroquoian Languages", what they are like and how people are striving to save them after hundreds of years of efforts to eradicate them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Buffalo's Hump and the Brown Birds / A Short History of the American Bison 17.07.2023

The first half of this episode is another Seneca story about a herd of buffalo (bison) and how you should choose who you follow carefully. In the second half of the episode Andrew shares a very short history of the American Bison. Sources: Skunny Wundy: Seneca Indian Tales by Arthur C. Parker Brown-Headed Cowbirds: From Buffalo Birds to Modern Scourge by Lisa Petit https://nationalzoo.si.edu/migra...

66 Saint Kateri Tekakwitha 03.02.2023

Known as the "Lilly of the Mohawks" Kateri was a Mohawk woman born in the mid 17th century. After being baptized by Jesuit missionaries she became a Christian that worked to incorporate her faith fully into her native culture. Three centuries after her death she was canonized as a Catholic Saint in 2012. This week we are joined by journalist Peter Jesser Smith as he unpacks her life and legacy. A...

Legends 14: The Box Tortoise's Shell | The Porcupine's Quills 05.05.2022

Two more fun fables written by Arthur C. Parker (Gawaso Wanneh) (Seneca) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

65 The Art of Storytelling with Perry Ground (Onondaga) 02.04.2022

Perry Ground is a member of the Onondaga Nation. He belongs to the Turtle Clan and has spent the past 30 years as an oral storyteller. Preforming and sharing traditional Haudenosaunee stories is his passion. Listen to why telling stories is an important part of every culture.  To have Perry come and visit your group you can contact him through his website at https://talkingturtlestories.com Hosted...

64 The Iroquois in the Civil War | Part 3 | The Oneida Nation 28.03.2022

In our final episode in our Haudenosaunee in the Civil War series we take a look at how other individuals and communities made contributions to the war effort.  We will cover Dr. Peter Wilson (Cayuga), the U.S. - Dakota War of 1862 and the Oneida Nation of Green Bay, WI Notes: Federal Publishing Company. The Union Army A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal States 1861-65 — Records of the Regi...

63 The Iroquois in the Civil War | Part 2 | The Tuscarora Company 14.01.2022

In 1862, after struggling for over a year to join the war effort dozen of men from the Seneca and Tuscarora nation were finally given a chance to showcase their prowess and courage.  Notes Armstrong, William H. Warrior in Two Camps: Ely S. Parker, Union General, and Seneca. Syracuse University Press, 1978. Federal Publishing Company. The Union Army A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal States...

62 The Iroquois in the Civil War | Part 1 | Indian Territory 19.04.2021

In 1861 a group of Seneca-Cayuga Iroquois who had relocated to Oklahoma in search of peace find themselves right in the middle of the American Civil War. Learn about the war in the west. This episode has everything, Cherokee Confederates fighting against Free Black Soldiers and Union allied Iroquois. Maurading desperados, tears, betrayals, death, and of course many battles. Notes: Armstrong, Willi...

Legends 13 The Game of Snow Snake 31.12.2020

Snowsnake is one of the most popular indigenous winter sports. Not only for people in the Haudenosaunee community but for dozens of other nations and tribes as well. Learn about how this entertaining game is played through today's story about two young boys who fall into an argument about the outcome of a Snowsnake match.    Story based on the traditional tale as told in, "Stories the Iroquois Tel...

61 The Iroquois Nationals Team | The History of Lacrosse 06.08.2020

It is known as the Creator's Game. People in North America have been playing Lacrosse for thousands of years. In modern times high schools and colleges have developed large programs. International competition has been growing as well.  Today we are pleased to have several members of the Iroquois Nationals Organization joining the show. Executive Director Leo Nolan (Mohawk Nation), Rex Lyons (Onond...

Legends 12 - How Raccoon Outwitted Fox 13.07.2020

Fox and Raccoon continue their contentious relationship in this short story. Based on Stories the Iroquois Tell Their Children by Mabel Powers [1917] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

60 Seven Generations - With Karl Dockstader (Oneida) 14.06.2020

Today's co-host is Karl Dockstader. Karl is a member of the Oneida Nation. He is an award winning radio host and a fan of Iroquois History and Legends. Together we cover racism, treaties, culture, and history. We look at past and present Haudenosaunee generations and their impact on the world. Finally we ponder what the future of the Six Nations might be seven generations from now. References: Jan...

59 Ely Parker | Part 3 | The Commissioner of Indian Affairs 08.06.2020

A few years after the Civil War, General Grant became President Grant and his friend Ely was appointed the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. He was the first indigenous person to hold the office. Today we finish our three part series on the life of Ely Parker The Life of General Ely S. Parker by Arthur C. Parker https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00W0LEWL0/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 Warrio...

58 Ely Parker | Part 2 | The Civil War 03.06.2020

In 1863, after years of lobbying Parker was finally off to war.  As General Grant moved up the ladder of command Ely went with him every step of the way. The Life of General Ely S. Parker by Arthur C. Parker https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00W0LEWL0/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 Warrior in Two Camps by William Armstrong  https://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Camps-Iroquois-Their-Neighbors/dp/08...

57 Ely Parker | Part 1 | Teenage Diplomat 01.06.2020

It could be said that Ely Parker was the most famous Seneca man of the 19th Century. The grandnephew of Red Jacket became a teenage diplomat, interpreter, aspiring lawyer, domestic engineer and Sachem all before the age of 30. The crazy thing is, that is not at all what he is remembered for. Later in life he would become a General in the Civil War, a Wall Street broker and the first Indigenous per...

One Dish, One Spoon 06.05.2020

This is an interview that Andrew did in 2018 on the One Dish, One Mic radio show. The name comes from the idea of One Dish and One Spoon. An ancient concept going back at least to the foundation or the Haudenosaunee Confederacy itself. Sean Vanderklis (Mississauga) and Karl Dockstader (Oneida) were gracious enough to give us permission to let us air this on our channel. http://1dish1mic.com Hosted...

Legends 11 Why Goldfinches Look Like the Sun 05.05.2020

Stories the Iroquois Tell Their Children by Mabel Powers (Yehsennohwehs) [1917].   Recorded with Ezra Guite Cotter and Ethan Cotter. It was some moons after the raccoon outwitted fox, before they again met. The raccoon was hurrying by, when fox saw him. Now the fox had not forgotten the trick the raccoon had played on him when he burned his mouth with what he thought was magic pawpaws.  But it was...

Legends 10 - How Rabbit Got a Split Lip 31.03.2020

Fox and Rabbit cause a lot of mischief. Learn how fire, and war came to man.  Find out how rabbit received his split lip. Adapted from the story as told by Arthur C. Parker (Seneca) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Legends 9 - How the Boy Got His Name 25.03.2020

Based on "How an Indian Boy Got His Name" an Iroquois tale as told by Mable Powers (Yen-Sen-Noh-Wehs) in 1917. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Legends 8 - Raccoon and the Crayfish 19.01.2020

Raccoon is starving and needs to use his wits to get a meal.  The crayfish are not an easy meal. Based on the Story by Arthur C. Parker (Seneca) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

56 I Am Rochester - With Garrett Wendt 13.11.2019

This week Director Garrett Wendt joins the show to discuss his upcoming documentary. We talk about what inspired him to undertake this massive project. We touch on the Haudenosaunee influence on the Women's Rights movement, as well as learn about abolitionists Charle Finney and Fredrick Douglas. You don't want to miss this film! For more information click here: https://iamrochester.com https://www...

55 The War of 1812 | Part 3 | Division and Reunification 08.11.2019

Tecumseh is in the fight for his life at the Battle of the Thames.  Meanwhile, bloody conflicts continue on both sides of the Niagara River.  Can the Confederacy survive another Civil War? Sources: The Iroquois in the War of 1812 by C. Benn The War of 1812: A Forgotten Conflict by Donald Hickey The Wampum Chronicles- by Darren Bonaparte Transcriptions from Draper Manuscript (1877) Draper Manuscrip...

54 The War of 1812 | Part 2 | Queenston Heights 22.12.2018

In the fall of 1812 thousands of American forces gathered on the Niagara River to attack Upper Canada.  But 80 Members of the Six Nations of Grand River made sure that the invaders didn't get very far.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

53 The War of 1812 | Part 1 | Tecumseh & John Norton 07.10.2018

In this episode we give the background on how the native peoples of the American Continent dealt with the Euro-Americans during the first decade of the 19th Century.  New leaders will rise.  John Norton, a Scottish-Cherokee who became a Mohawk and Tecumseh a Shawnee leader who had a vision to unite all tribes together to save their people from extinction.    Sources: The Journal of Major John Nort...

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