Page 59 - Chippewas of Rama First Nation

WAMPUM BELTS
Wampum belts are important records of historical agreements for all First
Nations of the Great Lakes region, including the Anishinaabeg. The belts
were used as a form of writing to inform everyone of important agreements
or treaties. For example, the belt at the bottom of the picture above
represents the Friendship Belt that was made between the Anishinaabeg and
Haudenosaunee when they were no longer in conflict.
Quahog shells were used to make wampum beads that were woven into WORDS TO KNOW
belts. The belts were not worn around the waist, but across the shoulder to
quahog (qua-hock): hard-
the opposite hip. People carried the belts with them when they travelled
shelled clams
through the river systems, which were the original highways of this land.
People from different areas would meet regularly to strengthen their peaceful
relations. When they met, belts were shown, and speakers recalled for one
another what they understood the agreements and treaties to be.

The middle belt shown in the picture is sometimes referred to as
“Yellowhead’s Belt.” It was not his belt; he only took care of it and carried it to
be used when called upon. This belt locates the Anishinaabeg people along
the lakes from Sault St. Marie to the Credit River by clan. It was given to the
Hoof clan people of Lake Simcoe at the time it was made, which is why it
became known as Yellowhead’s Belt.

The top belt of this picture is the “Dish with One Spoon Belt.” It called upon
people to look at the land as filled with everything we need, like a dish with
one spoon that all could share and eat together.

The three wampum belts pictured here are recreations of belts that come
from this region. The original belts are in private collections or museums,
and some may have been buried with people who originally had them.

Chippewas of Rama First Nation 57

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