It’s Treaty Week

Treaty Week takes place annually from November 5th to 12th in Canada. It holds significant importance towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. This week is a time for reflection and education about the treaties that have shaped the relationship between Indigenous nations, the British Crown, and Canada.

Treaties are legally binding agreements between Indigenous nations and the Crown as well as the Canadian government. These treaties were established in the past to define the rights, responsibilities, and relationships between these parties. There are over 70 historic treaties with Canada, and Treaty Week offers a chance to acknowledge their importance and promote understanding.

Treaty Week is a reminder that reconciliation is an ongoing process, requiring all Canadians to work on reconciling relationships with Indigenous peoples. By recognizing the importance of these historic agreements and the need for their implementation, we move closer to a more just and equitable future for all.

This is a good resource for info on treaties in Ontario - https://www.ontario.ca/page/map-ontario-treaties-and-reserves

Haudenosaunee wampum belts hold a unique and symbolic significance in the context of Indigenous treaties. These intricately designed belts are crafted from beads made of shells and are used to document and commemorate important agreements and historical events. The belts are not just decorative artifacts; they are tangible representations of the principles and promises made during the negotiation of treaties. Each belt is composed of specific patterns and colors, and their interpretation requires a deep understanding of the oral traditions and customs of the Haudenosaunee people. Wampum belts serve as mnemonic devices, helping to preserve the memory of agreements, alliances, and diplomatic relationships, and they continue to be respected as living documents, emphasizing the enduring nature of these treaties within Indigenous cultures.

Here are some resources on a few of the Wampum Belts that are very significant to the relationship of the Haudenosaunee with the British Crown.

• Ganondagan webpage on Wampum Belts

• The Dish With One Spoon (Pre-Contact)

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiU5uvGXhxA

• The Two Row Wampum (1613)

  • https://www.onondaganation.org/culture/wampum/two-row-wampum-belt-guswenta/

• The Friendship Belt (1757)

• https://vitacollections.ca/sixnationsarchive/2687120/data?n=9

• The Pledge of the Crown or The William Clouse Belt (1815)

• Article on the 2015 commemoration - https://vitacollections.ca/sixnationsarchive/3224899/data?n=6

• https://images.ourontario.ca/Partners/SixNPL/SixNPL002690749pf_0001.pd