Wampum #1: Covenant Chain-Friendship Belt

Narrated text: “This wampum belt was made by the British Crown and given to the Haudenosaunee to cement a nation-to-nation relationship founded upon peace and friendship in 1677.

“The two figures (one representing the King and the other our Chiefs) hold a long Chain that binds them together as allies. The Chain represents a Covenant to a path of communication, diplomacy, problem solving and commitment to upholding the strong alliance.”

What is Wampum?

Wampum is made from tubular shell beads ground from quahog clam shells and channel whelk shells. The wampum beds are strung in various patterns to carry messages, and belts of mats are woven with symbolic designs to carry messages about law, history and prophesy.

What is the Covenant Chain?

The Covenant Chain represents the idea that the English ship and the Haudenosaunee are tied together in peace and friendship. It represents the treaty relationship between the two and serves as problem solving device to diplomatically resolve matters of concern to keep the friendship strong.