The Improved Order of Red Men is a fraternal order that traces its origins to the the Sons of Liberty, a secret society formed in1865 to oppose British tyranny. Many of the Sons of Liberty, who participated in the Boston Tea Party and dressed as Mohawk Indians, were also Freemasons. The I.O.R.M. was part of the Masonic Order until 1834 when it became an independent fraternal society. Leaders borrowed some traditions from the Freemasons, but sought to establish a separate order based on a singularly American mythology by combining puritan values with a romantic vision of the Native American.
IORM lodges are called wigwams and are named for North American tribes. Members dress in “Indian” costumes and use a secret language of words, signs, and gestures gleaned from various Native American and popular sources. The war bonnet, tomahawk, bow and arrow, wampum belt, peace pipe and war club have been important elements in I.O.R.M. iconography since its inception.
This iconography, however, is only meant to signify “Indian” and not concerned with replicating “authentic” Native American culture. I.O.R.M. members’ primary sentiments lie in patriotism and community.
Andrea Robbins and Max Becher 2017
