Treaty of Canandaigua Arrives at National Museum of the American Indian

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Treaty of Canandaigua at NMAI

Faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan of the Onondaga Nation of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Oren Lyons, right, and The Tadodaho of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chief Sidney Hill, examine the signature of Ki-On-Twog-Ky, also known as Cornplanter (Seneca), on the 1794 Treaty of Canandaigua at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian on Monday, September 8 in Washington, D.C. The treaty, between the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the United States, is signed by President George Washington and The Six Nations (Iroquois). (Kevin Wolf/AP Images for The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian)

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Treaty of Canandaigua at NMAI

From left, Faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan of the Onondaga Nation of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Oren Lyons, the Tadodaho of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chief Sidney Hill, Guest Curator Suzan Harjo (Cheyenne and Hodulgee Muscogee), NMAI Director Kevin Gover (Pawnee) and Executive for Legislative Archives, Presidential Libraries Jim Gardner, front right, unveil the 1794 Treaty of Canandaigua, on loan from the National Archives in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian on Monday, September 8, 2014 in Washington, D.C. (Kevin Wolf/AP Images for The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian)

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Treaty of Canandaigua at NMAI

Curators with National Museum of the American Indian and National Archives prepare to install the Treaty of Canandaigua on Monday, September 8 in Washington. (Kevin Wolf/AP Images for The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian

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Treaty of Canandaigua at NMAI

NMAI Director Kevin Gover (Pawnee), right, looks at the installed 1794 Treaty of Canandaigua for the exhibition opening September 21 “Nation to Nation: Treaties Between the United States and American Indian Nations.” The treaty, between the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the United States, is signed by President George Washington and The Six Nations (Iroquois). (Kevin Wolf/AP Images for The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian)

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By:

ICTMN Staff

9/11/14

The National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. got a special delivery on Monday, September 8. The Treaty of Canandaigua between the Haudenosaunee (the Six Nations, or Iroquois Confederacy) and the United States, signed by George Washington in 1794 was delivered to NMAI from the National Archives and Records Administration.

Chief Oren Lyons, Ph.D., the Faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan of the Seneca Nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy along with NMAI Museum Director Kevin Gover, were on hand for the delivery of the Treaty of Canandaigua.

The treaty is on loan and has never been displayed at this magnitude. It is a part of NMAI’s exhibit “Nation to Nation: Treaties Between the United States and American Indian Nations,” which begins September 21.

The exhibit focuses on eight treaties representing the some 374 ratified between the United States and Native nations. “Each document details and solidifies the diplomatic agreements between the United States and the neighboring Native Nations. Told from the point of view of the Indian Nations and accompanied by U.S. testimonials, curated by Suzan Shown Harjo (Cheyenne/Hodulgee Muscogee) the story is woven through five sections: Introduction to Treaties, Serious Diplomacy, Bad Acts, Bad Paper, Great Nations Keep Their Word and Reflections,” according to a press release from NMAI.

The more than 125 objects “the story of our early ancestors and our efforts to live side-by-side at the birth of the United States,” says the release. Objects on display include the Navajo blanket owned by General William Sherman, a collection of Plains Nations pipes and beaded pipe bags, peace medals given to Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and the sword and scabbard of Andrew Jackson.

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Comments

Mel Malone

Glad to know that our younger people know and understand these Treaties ....And to know that even after 200 plus years that they are still binding !!!!

Sun, 09/14/2014 - 18:50

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