Brenda Collins, Knowledge Keeper and artist, Treaty 94, on "What is a Wampum belt?"

Summary

In the Treaties Recognition Week video, Knowledge Keeper Brenda Collins shares her personal connection to the Odawa tribe and the importance of treaties as living documents. She explains the significance of Wampum belts as historical records and symbols of agreements between Indigenous peoples and Europeans. Collins emphasizes the enduring relevance of treaties and the need for ongoing learning and cultural sharing to ensure a balanced coexistence.

Takeaways

• 🌐 **Cultural Identity**: Brenda Collins emphasizes the importance of understanding the cultural identity lost due to historical assimilation policies.
• 📜 **Historical Significance of Treaties**: Treaties are likened to history textbooks, passed down orally through generations, and remain legally valid regardless of age.
• 🏅 **Chief Jean-Baptiste Assiginack**: Brenda's ancestor's dedication to preserving treaty knowledge by speaking for 14 hours about the Niagara Treaty is highlighted.
• 🎨 **Wampum Belts**: The meticulous process of creating Wampum Belts, their sacredness, and the meanings they convey are explained.
• 🛶 **Two-Row Wampum Belt**: Represents the agreement between the Haudenosaunee and the Dutch in 1613, symbolizing the desire for coexistence and mutual respect.
• 🥣 **Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt**: Represents the principle of sharing resources responsibly and leaving the environment as you found it.
• 📚 **Learning About Treaties**: Treaties should not be intimidating; there is a lifetime to learn and understand their meanings.
• 👵 **Intergenerational Knowledge**: Brenda shares her ongoing journey of learning about treaties and Wampum belts and her commitment to passing this knowledge to future generations.
• 🤝 **Coexistence and Sharing**: The treaties and Wampum belts promote the idea of living side by side with others, sharing knowledge, and maintaining cultural identity.
• 🌱 **Environmental Stewardship**: The principles of the Dish With One Spoon Wampum belt are relevant today, emphasizing sustainable use of resources and environmental care.

Q & A

What is Treaties Recognition Week?

Treaties Recognition Week is an event that aims to acknowledge and educate people about the importance of treaties in the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the government.

Who is Brenda Collins and what is her role in the video?

Brenda Collins is a Knowledge Keeper from Treaty 94, and she introduces herself in the video by speaking her mother's tongue, Nishnaabemwin, and sharing her personal connection to the treaties and their cultural significance.

What does Brenda mean when she says treaties are 'our history textbooks'?

Brenda refers to treaties as 'history textbooks' because they contain the oral history and agreements made between Indigenous peoples and settlers, passed down through generations.

Who was Chief Jean-Baptiste Assiginack and what did he do?

Chief Jean-Baptiste Assiginack was Brenda Collins's five times great-grandfather who spoke for 14 hours about the 1764 Niagara Treaty, demonstrating the depth of Indigenous knowledge and the importance of treaties.

What are Wampum Belts and why are they significant?

Wampum Belts are intricately crafted belts made from quahog shells and animal hide, symbolizing treaties and agreements. They are significant because they represent the legal and cultural agreements made between Indigenous peoples and settlers.

What is the process of making a Wampum Belt?

The process of making a Wampum Belt involves carefully drilling quahog shells, preparing sinew threads, tanning elk or deer hide, and cutting it into strips. The shells, which have different meanings, are then sewn onto the hide to create the belt.

What does the Two-Row Wampum Belt represent?

The Two-Row Wampum Belt represents the agreement between the Haudenosaunee and the Dutch in 1613, symbolizing two vessels traveling down the river side by side, indicating a mutual respect for each other's cultures and ways of life.

What is the meaning behind the Dish With One Spoon Wampum belt?

The Dish With One Spoon Wampum belt conveys the idea of taking only what you need, leaving resources for others, and ensuring that the land is left in the same condition as when one arrived, promoting sustainability and respect for the environment.

How does Brenda suggest we approach understanding treaties?

Brenda suggests that understanding treaties should not be intimidating. She encourages a lifelong learning process, where one can gradually learn about the treaties and their meaning, and incorporate that knowledge into their life to help others.

What is the message of the video regarding the validity of treaties?

The video emphasizes that treaties, even those made hundreds of years ago, are still valid and should be respected. They represent the ongoing relationship and agreements between Indigenous peoples and the government.

What disclaimer does the Government of Ontario provide about the videos?

The Government of Ontario disclaims all responsibility for any errors, omissions, and inaccuracies in the videos, stating that the views expressed are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the government's position.