These confederacies were first formed amoung tribes who shared the same language and spiritual beliefs, as a means of protecting each other in times and war; but perhaps more importantly; to prevent the necessity of war with one another. Very much like the United Nations of today, where a stong case has to made, before permission is granted for any acts of aggression (at least that's how it's supposed to work).
Unlike European nations at the time, Canadian nations did not have clear-cut boundary lines, since land ownership was a foreign concept; but rather respected each other's hunting grounds, fishing districts and trade routes; or be dealt with severely. There was also no Canada/US border, since all of North America (Turtle Island), belonged to the Creator and it was up to the Human Beings to find a way to live in harmony with nature and each other. This doesn't mean that there weren't wars, but enemies were clearly defined.
The links below provide information on all the major Canadian Confederations, up to and including the Victorian Era.
