The eastern woodland indian cultures that inhabit much of the southeast were matriarchal. what does this mean

In matriarchal societies women hold the power position, social privilege and control of property. The Eastern woodland Indians lived east of the plains Indians. like other Indians they also used to depend on the natural resources. Because they lived in forests , they came to be called as Eastern Indians. All their basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing, tools and weapons were from forests. Their villages were near lakes or streams.  The Cherokee, Mound Builders and Iroquois were important Woodland tribes, they used to live in longhouses and wigwams.  In all of these eastern woodland societies the women held prestigious positions.