The North American continent is 200 million years old. Since this time, many diverse groups have developed and prospered on this continent. Over time, these groups diversified and became very distinctive in their traits. Perhaps one of the most interesting groups of people were the Iroquois, who included the fascinating Mohawk tribe. The Mohawk tribe is incredibly unique in many ways. The Mohawks lived in upstate New York, on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, and in southern Canada. There is no written record of the Mohawks, but "longhouse construction dates back to at least 1100 AD." (Iroquois). Agriculture began around 1300 or 1400. It was a corn-centered culture. Corn farming led to a population boom and more wars to expand into new territories. Ceremonial cannibalism began in 1400. The region they live in is mountainous and rocky, so agriculture is limited. They farmed and hunted in an area until the soil was exhausted or the wild animals were exhausted. They would stay in any location for 5 to 20 years. The Mohawks are part of the Iroquois, who are closely related by culture and language. They formed a confederacy around 1600, and there is no known record of another group of tribes doing so before 1600. Originally made up of 5 tribes (the Tuscarora did not join until 1722), the tribes had a place in the metaphorical longhouse. They were the "Kayengehaga", or "the people of flint" (Ritchie) because of the flint place where they lived. They were the guardians of the Eastern Gate, which would become a crucial position when trade began with the first settlers. The other tribes were the Oneida, Onondaga, Seneca and Cayuga. The Iroquois council was composed of Sachems. The Sachems advised me...... middle of paper ......d, which led to a 15-minute shootout. A Canadian was killed. After 78 days, the Mohawks laid down their arms. However, the golf course was not built. (Chiefs). Another way in which the Mohawks are still affected by their culture is that they celebrate traditional ceremonies in the usual costume. Some couples also have both a Christian wedding and a traditional Mohawk wedding, or incorporate elements of both. (Facts about the Mohawk Indian Tribe). The Mohawks are a very unique tribe. They have a rich history, although closely related to the Iroquois, but exclusive to them. Over time, they learned and developed amazing skills and techniques that helped them survive. Even today, their culture is very strong and centralizes them, whatever the distance that separates them. Therefore, the Mohawk tribe has a rich history and culture that cannot be matched by any other group in history..