Contemporary Iroquois sculpture has its roots in the religion, legends and history of the Iroquois. Unlike some primitive art forms which depict a way of life that actually doesn't exist anymore but is remembered only by the elders of the community, Iroquois sculpture is a living art form. All carvers still practice the religion of the Longhouse. Carvings may depict actual legends or historic events or they may be artistic compositions which incorporate symbols of Iroquois society. Antecedents to contemporary carving may be found in the making of utensils, pipes and ornamentation in stone, clay or wood. 

Today, images of False Face Masks are incorporated liberally in modern sculptures. In fact, many of the sculptors began at a young age to make wooden medicine masks. Although early sculptures were fashioned in any stone which was workable, steatite has become the favorite material in which to carve. It is a soft stone with a wide range of colouring. The artists generally use basic hand tools although some may employ an electric drill. Part or all of a sculpture usually has a coating of clear acrylic to make the colours in the stone more visible.

The artists have traditionally driven to North Carolina, U.S.A. to dig up deposits of steatite. More recently, deposits of steatite have been discovered in Maryland, U.S.A.

Some of the younger artists will also work in other materials such as alabaster, catlinite or soapstone. In fact they are not adverse to expressing their ideas in a more contemporary even abstract style while using traditional stones.