How did the Iroquois citizen participation work?

Iroquois citizen participation was rooted in a system of consensus decision-making and collective governance. Each of the member nations of the Iroquois Confederacy, or Haudenosaunee, had representatives called sachems who were chosen by clan mothers, the matriarchs of their communities. Decisions were made through discussions that involved all voices, emphasizing the importance of harmony and unity. This participatory approach ensured that the needs and perspectives of both individuals and the broader community were considered in governance.