Akwesasne Museum’s Wampum Discussion

The Akwesasne Museum once again hosted a Wampum Discussion evening on Wednesday, November 7, 2012. The meeting was held upstairs in the library and was attended by 6 people. The Discussion isn’t lead by any one person, nor do they have a “main” or “guest speaker.” Instead the evening is what the initial intent of the wampum and our entire historical and sociological presence is based on – an oratory of each individual’s account or relation they have with their understanding of what “wampum” is and what “wampum” means to them. It was a very relaxed setting with interesting topics ranging from almost personal, like anecdotal accounts of our history, to the relevance “wampum” has to each individual in attendance. From students as young as 12 to adults, each was encouraged to speak in terms of, “this is where I heard this from”, or “this is what was told to me by…” Speaking in these terms brings a reference of where you heard your teachings from and from whom. The next Wampum Discussion Meeting will be held December 9, 2012 at 7pm at the Akwesasne Library. Everyone is invited and welcome to attend. If you would like a copy of past discussion papers and December 9th discussion’s paper, please contact Sue Ellen Herne at the Akwesasne Museum. However, it is not necessary to have read the discussion paper in advance to attend.