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"The Great Treaty of Canandaigua" by Robert Griffing

Saturday, November 11th - Commemoration of the Canandaigua Treaty

This year's 229th anniversary of the historic, federal Canandaigua Treaty of 1794 Commemoration will take place at 2 PM on the front lawn of the Ontario County Courthouse.

The annual commemoration serves to “polish the chain of peace and friendship” between the Hodinöhsö:ni’ (Six Nations Confederacy) and the young United States. The treaty was signed by Colonel Timothy Pickering—official agent of President George Washington—and sachems from the Six Nations Grand Council. It signified peace between the two and recognized the sovereignty of the other as distinct nations to govern and set their own laws

Schedule

2:00 PM Commemoration of Canandaigua Treaty
Lawn of the Ontario County Courthouse, 27 N. Main Street, Canandaigua, NY
 
2:30 PM Original Canandaigua Treaty available to view until 4 PM at the
Ontario County Historical Society, 55 N. Main Street, Canandaigua, NY.
 
4:00 PM Commemoration concludes

Haudenosaunee leaders stand together presenting wampum belts in front of Canandaigua Courthouse Photo Credit: Alex Hamer Photography

Parking for Ontario Courthouse

The Ontario County Courthouse is located at 27 N Main St, Canandaigua, NY 14424. There is a free public parking lot just beyond the Ontario St & Pleasant St intersection. 


Photo Credit: Alex Hamer Photography

Watch the 2021 Commemoration

Watch the 2021 Canandaigua Treaty Commemoration on Facebook Live

Photo Credit: Gale Karpel

“Our rededication event is an important reminder to the U.S. that treaties are the supreme law of the land, and that this treaty continues to be valid and in effect,” said Peter Jemison (Seneca), Ganondagan State Historic Site manager.

 

Haudenosaunee White House Meeting

On February 22, 2016, Haudenosaunee leaders met with U.S. officials at the White House in Washington, DC to commemorate and formally acknowledge the Canandaigua Treaty. The treaty was signed on November 11, 1794, and ratified by President George Washington on February 21, 1795, 300 years and one day before this historic meeting. Please open this link to read the text of the treaty: onondaganation.org/government/the-canandaigua-treaty-of-1794/

Filmed and edited by Gwendolen Cates

Film & Text above by Gwendolyn Cates