Wampum yearns to be understood.
It heals, protects, beautifies, and confirms relationships.
Here at Ganondagan, Wampum will be given that opportunity once again.

March 25th - September 16th, 2023, the Seneca Art & Culture Center will showcase the WAMPUM/OTGÖA exhibition featuring important objects from the museé du quai Branly, wampum belts from the Rochester Museum and Science Center and feature contemporary works by Haudenosaunee artists. The exhibition is the culmination of 300 years of European contact and four years of dedicated relationship building between the museé du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac and Ganondagan. The WAMPUM we have invited here, in many ways, is functioning again as objects that can restore peace and friendship. This exhibition is intended to be appreciated, welcomed, and interpreted by Indigenous communities, yet enjoyed by all.

The objects from France come from a time prior to the formation of the United States and represent the complicated legacy of diplomacy between Indigenous nations and the colonial French. This is unprecedented collaboration between Ganondagan, the museé du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac and the McCord Museum postures Ganondagan as an international resource for authentic cultural interpretation and educational inquiry.

Ganondagan would like to acknowledge the following organizations and people for making the WAMPUM/OTGOÄ exhibition possible:

• Terra Foundation for American Art
• musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac
• NYS Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation
• Friends of Ganondagan
• Rochester Museum & Science Center
• Rock Foundation
• JC Seneca Foundation
• Forge Project, traditional lands of the Muh-he-con-ne-ok
• Athens Fine Art Services, LLC
• Donn Vickers & Sharon Sachs

Looking for Educational Resources? Check out our Wampum page to learn more about wampum and find educational videos and resources.

Each month of the WAMPUM/OTGOÄ exhibition we will highlight a contemporary artist featured in the exhibit. Admission to the Artist Talks Series is included with admission to the Seneca Art & Culture Center. FREE for Friends of Ganondagan Members. For more information go to: WAMPUM/OTGOÄ Exhibition Programs Page

"It marks a rarity in the world of ethnographic museums: a respectful collaboration between a European institution with indigenous artifacts in its collection and an indigenous-led museum in the place where the artifacts originated."

Read Democrat & Chronicle's article on WAMPUM/OTGOÄ Exhibition: Ganondagan historic site wampum exhibit on display until Sept. 16 (democratandchronicle.com)

EXHIBITION JOINTLY ORGANIZED BY THE MUSÉE DU QUAI BRANLY - JACQUES CHIRAC AND THE SENECA ART & CULTURE CENTER AT GANONDAGAN STATE HISTORIC SITE