Iroquois Memorial Institute

The Iroquois Memorial Institute hearkens back to the Natural Spirit Magic of the Native Americans. Not surprisingly, the teaching of this type of magic is actually older than Salem, but as IMI was technically not a “formal” institution until much later, Salem still holds the title of “oldest.”

The highest focus of IMI is natural magic, which includes weather, herbology, dreams, smoke/fire (peace pipes are a very common medium), divination, and animal connections. The research into weather-magic is especially cutting-edge. Students must  have a  strong connection with the earth and all of its inhabitants. While of course not required, Spirit Animals (which can also be familiars, although the two concepts are in fact distinct) are very popular at IMI. A person can have as many Spirit Animals as they have manifestations of their own character, though they are not usually all Familiars. Natural spirits tend to keep things in balance and avoid the accumulation of power that too many Familiars would allow.

Located on the Cattaraugus Iroquois reservation in Cattaraugus County, NY, IMI stays true to its Iroquois roots. The reservation is a perfect place for the school, as it is mostly rural (without the flashy casinos that many reservations have) and over 40 square miles in area. It is thus very easy for the wizarding population to conceal their school from prying Deficient eyes with a  simple disinterest charm. Students live and take classes in Long Houses, and Spirit Journeys into the woods are popular. Magical marijuana has become very popular among the students and faculty of IMI.

The American Skinchanging Institute is housed on the IMI campus.

Lacrosse is a popular pastime at IMI. IT IS. NO NO NO NO NO.

History
IMI was founded in the aftermath of the civil war, in an attempt to preserve Native American magical traditions that were being exterminated along with the natives themselves. The Iroquois, being a nation that was less persecuted and had more surviving magical members, were an important lobbying force for the native american populace and thus a natural choice for the new school.

Spirit Animals and Familiars
Spirit Animals: non-corporeal manifestations of animal characteristics that embody the individual’s connection to the Earth, life, and, in the case of wizards, magic. They protect their individuals from harm; they are, in essence, guardian spirits.

Familiars: Literal animals that have a propensity for magic conduction and can assist their chosen witch or wizard with spells and enchantments. While they are extremely loyal and would, of course, protect their witch or wizard partner in dangerous situation, they cannot do any more than a normal animal could, as they themselves are not magical. However, familiars often overlap with Spirit Animals, as spirit animals can choose to manifest in literal beings (that have a propensity for it, as familiars of course would), especially when these two cultures overlap.