Photographs (left to right): Athens Botanical Gardens, Georgia; Wakulla Springs, Florida; Athens Botanical Gardens, Georgia

Wampum other than Belts Archive

 

Indigenous Peoples Day Belt

Richard D. Hamell

July 21, 2022

 

Original Size:	Beaded Length: 33.0 inches. Width: 8.0 inches. Length w/fringe: 57.0 inches
Reproduction:	Columns: 208. Rows: 16.
Beads:	Polymer. 3,328 whole beads. 72 half-size beads.
Materials:	Warp: Deer leather. Weft: artificial sinew.

Description by Patrica Corocran:

This one is to commemorate this momentous event of recognition.

It was designed by Rich Hamill and members of the Indigenous Peoples Day committee.

The three falls on the left represent the Genesee River (Rochester).

The northward flow of the river it can be preceived representing the Two Row Wampum Belt which was the First Agreement between the Europeans and the Haudenosaunee. The two rows which are of equal width and length and never intersect, which means each culture will travel down the river of life, side by side as brothers/equals. Neither will attempt to steer the other’s vessels. Both will respect the ways of the other and will not interfere with the other. This respect was meant to be extended to the whole circle of life; air, water, Earth, and animal; therefore we would all live in Peace, Harmony, Friendship and covenant agreement would live forever. The Haudenosaunee have always upheld their side of this agreement.

On the right is Lake Ontario and the white canoe carrying the Peacemaker to Haudenosaunee from the North (known today as Canada).

In the center of the belt stands The White Pine Tree of Peace where beneath it the Peacemaker told us to bury our hatred, greed, jealousy which could lead the confederacy to war and focus on cooperation and compassion.

The central image is of an Indigenous person and non-Native, holding a wampum belt in peace and understanding.

 

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