Wampum Belts

The Two Row Wampum is one of the oldest treaty relationships between the Onkwehonweh, original people of Turtle Island (North America), and European immigrants. The treaty was made in 1613.

Treaty of Niagara (1764)

Representing approximately 24 First Nations, the Treaty of Niagara discussed an “alliance with the English.” The discussion led to the acceptance of the Royal Proclamation of 1763 (set the constitutional structure for the negotiation of treaties with the Indigenous inhabitants of large sections of Canada. It is referenced in section 25 of the Constitution Act, 1982. As such, it has been labelled an “Indian Magna Carta” or an “Indian Bill of Rights). It also included one of the first land cessions under the Royal Proclamation’s protocols. The resulting treaty was recorded in wampum (see above). Today, the 1764 Treaty of Niagara is not recognized by the Canadian government, but is seen as a foundational document by First Nations for all subsequent relations and treaties.