...Iroquois politics were the most sophisticated in all of the North-American Native cultures; the Seneca, with the exception of one tribe (The Tonawanda), [had] adopted a democratic form of government after years of questionable leadership by Chiefs who had come into their positions out of lineage rather than virtue. The Seneca women were in charge of elections, and decided who was to become tribal leader. Leaders usually held their posts for life, but could be removed if they became corrupt or proved to be incompetent; the Seneca political system also included a constitution, which is believed to have been the model for the American constitution."

(Tribal History)

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