John Graves Simcoe Wampum Belt

John Graves Simcoe Wampum Belt

John Graves Simcoe Wampum Belt

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Introduction

A wampum belt presented by John Graves Simcoe to Aboriginal allies, probably Hodenosaunee, Anishinaabe or Wendat, during his term as Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada from 1791-94. Simcoe's initials and the motif of two figures holding hands suggests this was a belt confirming an alliance. There is no physical evidence that the belt was ever painted red

Nation of Maker: Anishinaabe Hodenosaunee/Haudenosaunee Huron-Wendat
Nation of Origin

Simcoe was involved in diplomatic negotiations with all these nations

Date Made or Date Range: 1791/1794 approximately
Materials

shell wampum beads, white and purple, red yarn and vegetable fiber (may be faded)

Techniques or Format

11 rows of beads, loom woven?

Motifs and Patterns

Initials "J G S" (the "J" written in an 18th century style, two figures holding hands

Additional Context

The closeness of the two figures probably indicates a message affirming a strong bond of alliance between them even if separated by a distance, according to Alan Corbiere. Speeches made when belts were presented specified these kinds of relationships and other belts have two figures connected by a line of beads rather than directly holding hands.The presence of the initials of the Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada in the 1790s suggests that he presented the belt to Aboriginal allies.

Other Notes

Because Simcoe was involved in diplomatic negotiations with a number of Great Lakes peoples we cannot be sure to whom this belt was presented.

Dimensions: 0 × 0 × 0 mm
Condition: very good
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

Dates of Simcoe's service as Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada

Current Location: National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. USA
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: E201156
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1899
Collection Narratives and Histories

collected by Willis N. Tobias in Moraviantown, Kent County, Ontario, 1899

GKS Reference Number: 602
Record Creation Context

Record created during GRASAC visit to the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History from Dec 3-7, 2012. The visit was funded by the Smithsonian's Recovering Voices project in order to work with GRASAC to develop a methodology for incorporating indigenous language research with material culture research.

Record Creation Notes/Observations

Participants (during the week): Alan Corbiere, Lisa Truong, Crystal Migwans, Ruth Phillips, Mary Ann Corbiere, Rand Valentine, Myna Toulouse and Theodore Toulouse

Approximate Place of Origin

42.808643282276, -81.471565933187

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