How are Haudenosaunee sachems selected?

• A. Elected by clan mothers to serve on the Grand Council.
• B. Appointed by colonial authorities.
• C. Chosen by random drawing among council members.
• D. Inherited from the previous sachem's family.

Answer: (A)

Clan mothers hold the authority to select and depose sachems, and those chosen sit on the Grand Council that guides the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. This system is built on trust in wisdom, fairness, and the ability to uphold the Great Law of Peace. Sachems are elected to represent their people and typically serve for life, unless the clan mothers withdraw support. They are not appointed by colonial powers, not determined by random drawing, and not inherited—leadership comes through the clan mothers’ choosing. This is why the best description is that they are elected by clan mothers to serve on the Grand Council.