The following letter has been sent to McGill’s McCord Museum
Re Exhibition:Wampum Beads of Diplomacy
MNN. Mar. 14, 2024.
WOMEN’S NOMINATION BELT
AUTHORIZES THE WOMEN TO NOMINATE AND GUIDE
THE MALE MEMBERS OF THEIR CLANS AND THE ROTINOSHONNI CONFEDERACY
From the kanien’keha:ka kahnistensera (Mohawk Mothers) Kahnawa:ke, Mohawk Territory kahnistensera@riseup.net
She:kon,
We are writing to inquire about the McCord Museum’s collection of Rotinonshon:ni belongings, particularly any wampum belts, beads, or strings that are either in storage or on display. We have also been made aware that many of our wampum presented as part of the McCord Museum’s “Wampum: Beads of Diplomacy” exhibit will be displaced to far-off institutions or into private possession. This is deeply concerning to us given as wampum are not material or cultural artworks of our people. You did not seek our permission to display these. They are inaccurate misrepresentations. We request they be returned immediately.
For example, the Teiohaha:te or “Two Row” wampum is an active, legally-binding treaty between two nations: the Rotinonshon:ni and the Dutch. The fabric of the Rotinonshon:ni Confederacy is made up of hundreds of wampum belts like this one, and as such this necessitates a constant practice of being in relation with them. It is impossible for our people to do so when our wampum are sitting in museums– whether that be in Canada or around the world– or in the hands of collectors, just gathering dust.
As Kahnistensera we are responsible for taking care of the land, and for taking care of the children of the past, present, and future and.making certain whoae wampum belts are available to our unborn children. It is also our duty to ensure that the Kaianereh’ko:wa or “Great Law of Peace” of the Rotinonshon:ni Confederacy is respected. It is with this understanding that we are reaching out to you. It is our hope that the McCord Museum, despite its historical lack of engagement with the original peoples of this land, the Onkwehonwe, is willing and able to engage in meaningful dialogue with us about our wampum.
We can be available as early as April 1st, 2024 for a meeting with you, whether that be in-person or online. If this works, then we suggest as a next step that we co-create an agenda for our meeting. Onen, Kahnistensera
Fats Domino Ready, sings about being willing and able. “Oh, well, I’m ready. I’m willing and I’m able to rock and roll. [repeat] Come on pretty baby. We gonna rock. We gonna roll until the broad daylight. Cause I’m ready. I’m willing and I’m able. You better come along with me. We gonna rock and roll til the morning about 3. Talking on the phone is not my kind of speed. Dont send me letters cause I can’t read. Don’t be long cause I’ll be gone cause I’m ready, I’m willing and able to rock and roll ….
O:nen, Kahnistensera
mohawknationnews.com box 991, kahnawake que. canada J0L 1B0
