Throughout history, Indigenous people have used visual and oral storytelling to pass down knowledge. Family teachings and traditions were shared and recognized through traditional art forms or woven into textiles. At MINI TIPI, we celebrate the beauty and richness of Indigenous art and culture, continuing this legacy by sharing knowledge and storytelling through textiles.
We are taking traditional art forms out of museums and making them available in a more modern way through beautiful products. We do this while still respecting the history and tradition of the art form and the generations and ancestors before us.
We are honored to collaborate with Tsista on his second design for MINI TIPI, featuring the artwork "Unity," inspired by the historical Wampum belt.
The Wampum Belt: A Symbol of Communication and Identity
In our discussions about his inspiration, we explored the idea of the Wampum belt with Tsista and how he could share the knowledge he obtained from his Onyota’a:ka side and share the significance of the symbolic belt. Using textiles to weave the story of the Wampum belt allows Tsista to preserve the significance of the Wampum through a blanket of Indigenous storytelling, and revitalize his culture as he continues to learn more.
Wampum belts are traditionally crafted from small, cylindrical beads made from quahog shells found on the Atlantic coast of North America. Creating one bead can take up to a day! These belts served multiple purposes in Indigenous communities, representing agreements, honoring significant events, and reminding nations of their relationships. They were fundamental to the social and political fabric of Indigenous communities. Each design and color combination carries specific meanings, making the Wampum belt a vital tool for communication and storytelling.
Tsista drew his inspiration from the Onyota’a:ka lineage. He wanted this blanket to feature the Dust Fan Wampum Belt, Skydomes, and iconographic representations of people standing hand-in-hand.
At the center of the blanket is the Dust Fan Wampum Belt, also known as the Everlasting Tree Belt. This belt, which predates colonization, represents a crucial element of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy: the Tree of Peace. When the Haudenosaunee Confederacy united, the nations buried their weapons beneath a white pine, symbolizing their commitment to peace under the Great Law of Peace. This belt signifies that the Tree of Peace will continue to grow, just as the peace of the Confederacy will endure. The original Five Nations—Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca—were later joined by the Tuscarora, forming the Six Nations that work together to maintain peace, known as the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, or the people of the longhouse.
By incorporating traditional Wampum designs, Tsista resonates with historical significance and contemporary issues facing Indigenous communities. By honoring and preserving the significance of Wampum, he enriches our understanding of Indigenous history. He emphasizes the importance of respecting one another and recognizing the rights of Indigenous peoples today.
“This blanket both educates and transcends cultures, providing a vision of a world where peace and unity are foundational to all of our communities, societies, and relations across the world, supported by a deep connection to both the natural world and the spirit world, and most importantly, sustained by the good minds of the people we share this world with.’’ - Tsista Kennedy.
The Wampum is more than just a beautiful piece of art, it is a powerful symbol of communication, diplomacy, and cultural identity. Its intricate designs tell stories of resilience, coexistence, and the enduring nature of Indigenous traditions. We are very grateful for this collaboration and the opportunity to create such a meaningful blanket. “Unity” serves as a blanket of peace, reminding us of our shared existence and the importance of mutual respect in sharing the land we all inhabit.
Explore the Cultural Significance of the Wampum Belt
The Wampum belt has a lot of historical significance for Indigenous history in Canada as well as Canadian history in general. We encourage you to learn more about how the quahog shells were used to record events. There are many wisdom keepers or elders who carry this knowledge and can speak for their Nations. We are also sharing some resources for your interest.
