The IRA or hodin Nani Confederacy of upper New York and Southeastern Canada is often characterized as one of the world's oldest participatory democracies it was originally made up from five nations the Mohawk Onida onandaga kuga Sena and later joined by the Tusk Aurora

The Great Peacemaker and the wise hawaa traveled to each of the five nations to share their ideas for peace a council meeting was called and hawaa presented The Great LA Law of Peace or what would later be known as the iraa Constitution

The Peacemaker established Clans within the nations of the iraa Confederacy the clan system United the Nations and ensured peace among them The Peacemaker also set up the iqua society as matal lineal this meant clan members traced their family history and ancestors through their mothers

Clan mothers were usually the oldest and most respected women in their Clans the title was hereditary and passed on to the woman relative that was thought to be best suited for the position Clan mothers were responsible for their Clan's welfare and for maintaining Harmony and balance within the Clans and Nations

The grand Council met to discuss issues that affected the whole iraa Confederacy such as peace treaties trade agreements and decisions to go to war the grand Council was made up of Chiefs from each Nation 50 in all

in 1722 the Confederacy was joined by the Tuscarora people who lost the war against the Europeans and migrated North they shared the same language and culture as the other nations after that the grand Council decided the Tuscarora would join them