The Mohawk Indians were employed by NYC construction companies, because they didn’t fear heights!

Mohawks are originally from Mohawk Valley in upstate New York. There are major populations of Mohawks in Canada and New York. They fought the U.S. in the War of 1812 and the American Revolutionary War. After the American victory, many Mohawks were moved further west or into Canada. New York City had a large Mohawk community estimated at 50,000 people. 

In the 1930s, New York City construction companies hired many Mohawk and other Iroquois Indians to build skyscrapers. The Mohawk community was established during that time period and continued to grow up into the 1970s. They were also contracted to build bridges. 

Mohawk means “they eat things” which changed into “man-eaters.” The Mohawk Indians are the most easterly tribe of the Iroquois confederation. The Empire State Building was built by the Mohawks. Construction companies wanted Mohawk Indians, because they found that they were unafraid of heights or other dangerous conditions. 

(Source)