Each group
will submit a paper based on the proposal, with group members responsible for
writing about their subtopics, and a collaborative introduction, conclusion,
and citations list. Total paper length will vary depending on the size of the
group, but each group member should expect to write approximately 2-3 pages on
their subtopic (double spaced; 12 point font), with an additional two pages
written collaboratively for the introduction and conclusion. Milad Dawari –
Longhouses The Mohawk tribe has a long history of building longhouses.
Longhouse design is important culturally, but the present situation is not as
good as it once was (Krinsky, 2018). The tribe used to have many longhouses
throughout their territory, allowing tribal members to stay together and make
decisions about matters such as marriage and child-rearing. However, the tribe
has been in decline for decades due to alcoholism and drug abuse among its
members (Krinsky, 2018). This has led to many families splitting up because
they do not have enough housing space for everyone who wants to live with them.
These longhouses were used as a place to store food and other items and where
children would be raised. The construction of these structures was fairly
elaborate; they took many years to complete, and they were not just one-room
buildings. They had multiple rooms that could be used for different
purposes (Krinsky, 2018).The purpose of these longhouses was not only to
provide housing for members of the tribe but also to provide a place for
gatherings, ceremonies, and education. The longhouse also served as a place
where community members could come together for various activities such as
sports games or dances.The current housing situation is that they are still
building their traditional longhouses, but they are also building new homes to
replace those that were lost during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The project's
funding comes from a variety of sources: grants from FEMA, Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA), as well as state and local government grants.The
design of the houses is based on traditional Mohawk longhouse designs with
modern amenities such as electricity and running water. This is done because
there is no power grid on the reservation, so electricity must be brought into
each home via generator or batteries. These generators can only be used for
about four hours each day due to their size and weight. While these houses are
much smaller than traditional longhouses at approximately 10-15 feet wide by 20
feet long with an average height of 11 feet), they are designed for families
with small children who need more space than what is available in older houses
built by other tribes throughout America's history (before modern technology).
The
Mohawk people have always considered the longhouse to be a sacred place. These
historic buildings have served as homes, classrooms, and meeting spots for countless
generations. The Mohawks' longhouses have also served as an important tool for
maintaining the language and traditions of the indigenous group. However, many
of the longhouses were lost when the tribe declined due to alcoholism and drug
usage. With the assistance of FEMA and other organizations, the tribe is
currently repairing and constructing new longhouses (Stueve, 2021). The Mohawk
people place a high value on their longhouses because they provide shelter for
families, space to keep possessions, and a venue for rituals.