Was the mohawk tribe a matriarchy or patriarchy?

The Mohawk tribe, part of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, operated within a matrilineal system, meaning lineage and inheritance were traced through the female line. Women held significant power in society, including the authority to select chiefs and influence decision-making. While men often took on roles as warriors and leaders, the social structure emphasized the importance of women in maintaining the tribe's continuity and governance. Thus, the Mohawk tribe can be characterized as a matriarchy in terms of social and familial organization.