Women's History Commons^™

“Not An Indian Tradition,”[1] Slavery, Sexual Perception And Prostitution Among The Great Lakes Iroquois: 1760-1860, Maggie E. Mcgoldrick Mrs

The Great Lakes Journal of Undergraduate History

The article attempts to demonstrate that although there was an increased trade in war captives and slaves among the Great Lakes Iroquois during the late 17^th and early 18^th century, and they were indeed bartered with European fur traders, this did not necessarily equate to a significant change in the cultural customs of exchange or the social status of slaves within Iroquois societies. In particular, the article examines the role of female slaves and their perceived roles as prostitutes by the fur traders they encountered. It illustrates the fact that, according to traditional Iroquois perceptions, the culturally significant …