Polishing the Silver Covenant Chain

Continued from last week

Since 1974, the Grand Council of the Haudenosaunee identified the following objects as being considered sacred and part of our national cultural patrimony. This is the underlying basis of our claims that have been made for the past twenty-eight years:

1) Wooden medicine masks, small and large

2) Corn husk masks, small and large

3) Snowsnakes, short and long

4) Condolence canes

5) Wampum

6) Peach stone game bowls and game dice

7) Wooden lacrosse sticks used in medicine games

8) Turtle rattles of all sizes

9) Ceremonial songs, speeches and prayers

10) Lacrosse sticks

11) Ceremonial clothing

12) Ceremonial dance instruments

13) Medicine objects and charms

In addition, a number of objects have been documented to have been included in graves of the Haudenosaunee, at one time or another.

a) Ceramic pots

b) Metal kettles

c) Shell, stone or glass beads

d) Wood spoons, ladles, or serving trays

e) Wampum beads, ornaments or belts

f) Metal tools, hatchets, guns, axes or knives

g) Baskets

h) Antler hair combs and carvings

i) Manufactures hair combs

j) Clay or manufactures pipes

k) Silver and pewter ornaments