I stumbled on Brian Cook's Iroquois Influence Thesis several months ago and had saved it on my desktop. It was a long read, but worth it. The first part presents the basis and conclusions of several historians that this Native government did play a role in the drafting of our Constitution. The thesis continues with the opposing arguments presenting discrepancies and assumptions.
I don't know the details of other federalist systems from the 16th and 17th centuries, such as the Dutch and the Swiss, but our Founding Fathers most certainly did. I can understand the Iroquois influence being downplayed and not specifically addressed in the historical record. I think it safe to say most Colonists didn't consider the Indians when pondering equality among men.
There certainly are many parallels to consider.
