Iroquoian describes an ethno-cultural and linguistic group of Indigenous peoples that historically lived in the Great Lakes area. Indigenous nations described as Iroquoian include the Haudenosaunee, Wendat (Huron), Neutral, Tionontati (Petun), Wenro, and Erie.

Iroquoian Peoples and Nations
Iroquoian is not to be confused with Iroquois. The term Iroquois was used by the French and non-Iroquoian people to describe the Haudenosaunee. The term is now generally considered outdated, to be replaced with the word Haudenosaunee, which is what they call themselves.
Iroquoian nations have similar customs, spiritual beliefs and cultural practices. For example, Iroquoian nations are generally structured by Clans and share different versions of the same origin story. However, these nations are not monolithic. They also weren’t always allied. During the Iroquois Wars, for example, the Haudenosaunee and Wendat (Huron) were enemies. The Wendat were allied with the French, and the Haudenosaunee with the British.
Iroquoian Languages
Iroquoian languages belong to two branches, a southern one composed of Cherokee, and a northern branch that includes the Erie, Neutral, Wenro, Haudenosaunee, Wendat, Tionontati (Petun) and St. Lawrence Iroquoians. Iroquoian languages spoken in Canada today include Kanyen’kéha (Mohawk) , Onyota'a:aka (Oneida), Onoñdaʼgegáʼ (Onondaga), Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ (Cayuga), Onöndowa’ga:’ Gawë:nö’ (Seneca) and Skarù∙ręʔ (Tuscarora). According to the 2021 Census, 680 people are listed as speaking an Iroquoian language as their mother tongue. Of those 680 people, 490 spoke Kanyen’kéha. Additionally, 1,865 people are listed as having knowledge of an Iroquoian language, 1,435 of whom are listed as having knowledge of Kanyen’kéha. Though assimilative policies like the Indian Act and residential schools have largely eroded Iroquoian and other Indigenous languages, many Haudenosaunee-led education initiatives are reviving traditional languages. (See also Indigenous Language Revitalization in Canada.)