Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples: Wampum Belt Reading by Jake Thomas, Elder
Database ID | 30744 | |
Institution | University of Saskatchewan Archives | |
Fonds/Collection | Native Law Centre fonds | |
File/Item Reference | Reference Library, RCAP vol. 110 (Box 17) | |
Date of creation | May 3, 1993 | |
Physical description/extent | 53 pages of textual records | |
Number of images | 53 | |
Historical note | The Iroquois Confederacy (also known as the "League of Peace and Power", the "Five Nations"; the "Six Nations"; or the "People of the Longhouse") is a group of First Nations/Native Americans that originally consisted of five nations: the Mohawk, the Oneida, the Onondaga, the Cayuga, and the Seneca. A sixth tribe, the Tuscarora, joined after the original five nations were formed. Although frequently referred to as the Iroquois, the Nations refer to themselves collectively as Haudenosaunee, meaning "People of the Longhouse," or more accurately, "They Are Building a Long House." | |
Scope and content | This file contains a Wampum Belt Reading by Jake Thomas. He states that the belt he uses is a replica of the original Belts located at the Six Nations of the Grand River in Ontario, and at Onondaga Reservation near Syracuse, New York. Wampum belts are brought out for ceremonies and readings. Thomas recalls growing up immersed in the Mohawk culture on the Six Nations Reserve and learning a number of languages associated with nearby First Nations. He laments the loss of culture and language among Aboriginal youth, and uses the Wampum Belt Reading to illustrate another aspect of Aboriginal culture that should be taught to younger generations. He also explains the history of the Haudenosaunee, a term that Six Nations members use to describe the combined confederacy of the six groups. | |
Other terms governing use and reproduction | Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions, 1992-1993. Reproduced with the permission of the Minister of Public Works and Government Services, and Courtesy of the Privy Council Office, 2008. | |
Type | Published | |
Primary Media | Textual documents | |
Provenance Access Point | University of Saskatchewan. Native Law Centre | |
Other notes | Part of Volume 1, Akwesasne Mohawk School, Cornwall Island, Ontario; Monday, May 3, 1993. Pages 14-66. | |
Treaty boundaries | Upper Canada | |
Cultural region | Northeast | |
Names | Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples Thomas, Jake | |
Subject | Government commissions -- Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples Indigenous Peoples General Indigenous Peoples Organizations Indigenous Relations Oral history Culture -- Folklore Culture -- Language Children Wampum Belt Readings Youth Haudenosaunee (Iroquois Confederacy) - Mohawk Cayuga Seneca | |
Date Range(s) | 1990-1999 | |
Permanent Link | https://digital.scaa.sk.ca/ourlegacy/permalink/30744 |