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.

Outlines

00:00

📜 Understanding Treaties and Wampum Belts

Brenda Collins, a Knowledge Keeper from Treaty 94, shares her personal connection to treaties and the importance of preserving Indigenous culture. She explains how her family's status was affected by marriages to non-Indigenous people, leading to a loss of cultural identity. Brenda recounts the significance of Wampum Belts, which are not only historical records but also legal documents that have been passed down orally. She describes the painstaking process of creating these belts, using quahog shells and sinew from animals, and tanning elk hide. The belts hold sacred meanings, such as the Two-Row Wampum Belt symbolizing peaceful coexistence and the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt representing the principle of sharing and sustainability. Brenda encourages viewers not to be intimidated by treaties and to learn about them throughout their lives, emphasizing that everyone can contribute to a better understanding and implementation of treaty rights.

05:01

🎥 Treaties Recognition Week Media

This section of the script provides supplementary information related to Treaties Recognition Week. It includes a reference to the Ontario government's website for further information on treaties, a mention of a song titled 'Breakwall' performed by Ansley Simpson, and a credit to Library and Archives Canada for providing archival photographs. Additionally, the Ontario logo is displayed, indicating the government's involvement and support for the recognition of treaties.

Keywords

💡Treaties Recognition Week

Treaties Recognition Week is an event that acknowledges and celebrates the importance of treaties in the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the government. In the script, it is mentioned as the title of the video, indicating that the content revolves around educating viewers about the significance of treaties in Canadian history and their ongoing relevance.

💡Nishnaabemwin

Nishnaabemwin is an Indigenous language spoken by the Anishinaabe people. In the script, Brenda Collins introduces herself in her mother's tongue, which is Nishnaabemwin, symbolizing the preservation of Indigenous languages and cultural identity. It also highlights the personal connection to the treaties and the Indigenous perspective.

💡Wampum Belts

Wampum Belts are sacred items made of shells on leather, used by Indigenous peoples to record important agreements, such as treaties. The script describes the meticulous process of creating these belts and their significance in treaty history. They are presented as a form of historical documentation, emphasizing the oral tradition and the legal weight of the agreements they represent.

💡1764 Niagara Treaty

The 1764 Niagara Treaty is a historical agreement mentioned in the script, where Chief Jean-Baptiste Assiginack is said to have spoken for 14 hours about its contents. This treaty is part of the broader discussion on the importance of understanding and respecting Indigenous treaties, showcasing the depth of Indigenous historical memory and the complexity of the agreements.

💡Haudenosaunee

The Haudenosaunee, also known as the Iroquois Confederacy, are a group of Indigenous peoples who played a significant role in creating Wampum Belts. The script mentions their contribution to the belts' creation, indicating their central role in the history of treaties and the development of a visual and tactile method of recording agreements.

💡Two-Row Wampum Belt

The Two-Row Wampum Belt is a specific type of Wampum Belt that symbolizes peace and coexistence between Indigenous peoples and Europeans. In the script, it is described as representing a mutual respect for each other's cultures and ways of life, with the white and purple shells signifying the separate but equal vessels of Indigenous and European societies.

💡Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt

The Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt is another type of Wampum Belt mentioned in the script, representing the principle of sharing resources and living sustainably. It conveys the idea of taking only what one needs and leaving enough for others, which is a reflection of Indigenous values and the spirit of treaties.

💡Cultural Loss

Cultural Loss refers to the erosion or disappearance of cultural practices, languages, and traditions. The script discusses how treaties have helped Brenda Collins understand the extent of the cultural loss her family experienced due to government policies that sought to assimilate Indigenous peoples.

💡Oral Tradition

Oral Tradition is a method of passing down knowledge, history, and culture through spoken word rather than written text. The script emphasizes the importance of oral tradition in Indigenous cultures, particularly in the context of treaties, which were originally communicated and understood through spoken agreements.

💡Legal Validity

Legal Validity in the script refers to the ongoing legal force and relevance of treaties, despite their age. It challenges the notion that because treaties were agreed upon centuries ago, they may not be legally binding today. The script argues that the oral agreements and Wampum Belts carry legal weight and should be respected.

💡Intergenerational Knowledge

Intergenerational Knowledge is the transfer of knowledge, customs, and beliefs from one generation to the next. The script highlights the importance of passing down the understanding of treaties and Wampum Belts to future generations to maintain cultural continuity and respect for historical agreements.

Highlights

Brenda Collins introduces herself in her mother's tongue, Nishnaabemwin, and discusses the impact of intermarriage with Frenchmen on her family's indigenous status.

Treaties are described as history textbooks, passed down orally from generation to generation.

Chief Jean-Baptiste Assiginack's 14-hour speech on the 1764 Niagara Treaty is highlighted as a testament to the importance of treaties.

Wampum Belts are explained as sacred items with meanings, made with quahog shells and sinew, symbolizing treaties.

The labor-intensive process of creating Wampum Belts is detailed, emphasizing their value and the respect they command.

The Two-Row Wampum Belt is described, symbolizing the agreement between the Haudenosaunee and the Dutch in 1613.

The concept of living in balance, as represented by the Wampum belts, is emphasized.

The Dish With One Spoon Wampum belt's message of sharing and sustainability is explained.

The idea that treaties are not intimidating and can be understood over a lifetime is presented.

The importance of learning about treaties and incorporating them into one's life to help mankind is discussed.

The Government of Ontario disclaims responsibility for any errors in the Treaties Recognition Week videos.

Ontario's Treaties Recognition Week is promoted on Ontario.ca/treaties.

Ansley Simpson's performance of 'Breakwall' is mentioned, adding a cultural element to the discussion.

Archival photographs provided by Library and Archives Canada are acknowledged.

The Ontario Logo appears, representing the province's involvement in the recognition of treaties.

Transcripts

[Title: The views expressed by Treaties  Recognition Week video participants are  

solely their own and are not intended to  reflect the position of Ontario, nor do they  

constitute any admission or limit Ontario's  rights in any way. The Government of Ontario  

disclaims all responsibility for any errors,  omissions, and inaccuracies in these videos.] 

[Title: Treaties Recognition Week]

[Title: Brenda Collins, Knowledge Keeper, Treaty 94] Brenda Collins >> I'm going to introduce myself  in my mother's tongue. She is Odawa from the  

Sheshegwaning First Nation reserve on Manitoulin  Island. [Brenda speaking in Nishnaabemwin]

Aaniin everyone. My mother married a Frenchman.  My grandmother married a Frenchman. Because  

they married a Frenchman the government  said, "Oh, you're no longer native."

And treaties have helped me to understand  how much precious culture that I have lost.

My five times great-grandfather, Chief  Jean-Baptiste Assiginack, once stood up and  

spoke for 14 hours about the 1764 Niagara Treaty.  Can you imagine all the information that he read  

from that Wampum Belt? Reading the belt, reading  the information, taking all the little icons  

and understanding what they mean and transferring  that knowledge to the next generation.

Treaties are our history textbooks. We  have them, they would have been orally  

handed down from generation to generation. Just  because you cannot read the written word does not  

mean to say that they are not legal. It doesn't  matter that they agreed to them 400 years ago.

The people that made these Wampum  Belts, mostly the Haudenosaunee,  

are the ones that started with the Wampum Belts  and these type of shells - the quahog shells.

And they would break a piece off and drill it  with a little stick or whatever they could find  

that they would drill it from one side to  one side and try and meet it in this tiny  

little section. And they would put a hole and  then they would send string sinews through it.

Now sinew is, you know when you peel a banana,  you see the little white strings that you have,  

you have that inside your body. The  animals have that inside their body.  

Those are our ligaments and tendons. You  have to peel them very quickly and you  

let them dry and that becomes the thread.  So, you can see how long that would take.

Then you also have to get elk hide. You wouldn't  use moose hide, it's too thick. You would use  

elk or deer hide. You have to tan that - that's  weeks and days and hours and hours and hours of  

effort. Then you have to cut it all into strips.

You have all your shells ready the white  ones and the purple ones because they have  

different meanings. Think of hours and hours  and hours it takes to make a Wampum belt  

to represent the treaty. Is it any wonder why  we treat Wampum belts with so much respect?

They're sacred. They have meanings. Here's the  Two-Row Wampum Belt. This one is really cool,  

because it's between the Haudenosaunee  and the Dutch at the beginning in 1613.  

And what they did was they had two vessels,  one was the Indigenous canoe and the other  

one was the European vessel. This is the  white represents the river or the water  

what they want back in is the same  thing that they want right now.

So even though this was made over four  or five hundred years ago doesn't matter,  

it's still valid. It still counts. What they want  is that they want people to be able to live in  

their own culture, their own clothing, their  own beliefs, their own language, their own  

knowledge - but to live side by side with  other people. Sharing their own knowledge.

What this Wampum belt means today is all of  that information, but also to live your life  

in balance. This Dish With One Spoon Wampum  belt has this idea. Just take what you need,  

leave some for the others, and don't forget  to clean up before you leave. You want to  

make sure that you leave our land in the same  condition that you it was when you arrived here."

To understand treaties, you don't have  to be intimidated, you don't have to be  

worried that you're going to have to know  hours and hours and hours of knowledge.

You have your whole lifetime to  learn what the treaties mean.

Look at me - look at my white hair - I'm still  learning and seeing about treaties and Wampum  

belts. How I can interpret them into my life and  share that with my children, and then share it  

with my grandchildren, then share my friends,  reintroduce my mom to those cultures. Treaties  

don't have to be intimidating. Everybody can live  some part of the treaty to best help mankind.

[Title: The views expressed by Treaties Recognition Week video participants are solely their own and are not intended to reflect the position of Ontario, nor do they constitute any admission or limit Ontario's rights in any way. The Government of Ontario disclaims all responsibility for any errors, omissions, and inaccuracies in these videos.]

[Title: Ontario.ca/treaties]

[Title: “Breakwall” Performed  by Ansley Simpson, Gizhiiwe Records, 2017]

[Title: Archival photographs  provided by Library Archives Canada]

[Ontario Logo]