Native American Women and Agriculture: A Seneca Case Study

1. Native American Women and Agriculture: A Seneca Case Study By Mallori Smith

2. What is the author trying to argue? • Seneca women were strong • Steadfast in their traditions, beliefs, ways of life through war, sickness, depletion of their homes, lands, crops, families. • Were capable to do either “man’s work” and/or “women’s” duties.

3. How does the author try to explain the argument? • Seneca women controlled ag. Production • Held high social and community status • Owned land • Food distribution • Authority in lawmaking • Spokeswomen for their cause • “women of the longhouse”; ran households and family life

4. Does the author assume the “white middle-class woman’s norm”? • No. This article is from the viewpoints of Native American women and also white Europeans.

5. Strengths and Weaknesses Strengths • Thorough description of Seneca women • Clear picture of what Seneca endured • Historically educational/enlightening • Clear point made • Easily understood • Aroused interest and emotion

6. Strengths and Weaknesses contd. Weaknesses • Not enough information given by Seneca women • Most direct accounts were from White men

7. Diversity Training Manual Dehumanization • Seneca’s were savage • Incapable of “normal” functioning because they were non-white women • Ethnicity/race, sex, gender contribute to Seneca oppression

8. Diversity Training Manual contd. Homogenization • Seneca only able to do same jobs as White women • Native Americans were all savages with improper traditions and beliefs • Native Americans were all ignorant and their women weak and powerless

9. Diversity Training Manual contd. De-Contextualization • Seneca women refused removal from their land because they were stubborn, witchcraft-practicing females • Their refusal not attributed to their strong beliefs and loyalty to their people, lands, and traditions

10. The End Jensen, J.M. Native American Women and Agriculture: A Seneca Case Study. Sex Roles, 1977, 3, 423-441.