WAMPUM/OTGOÄ Exhibition
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 showcased the WAMPUM/OTGÖA exhibition featuring important objects from the Museé du Quai Branly, wampum belts from the Rochester Museum and Science Center and contemporary works by Haudenosaunee artists. The exhibition was 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 invited here, in many ways, functioned as objects that can restore peace and friendship. This exhibition was 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 unprecedented collaboration between Ganondagan, the Museé du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac and the McCord Museum postured Ganondagan as an international resource for authentic cultural interpretation and educational inquiry.
Our downloadable exhibit guide includes images of the wampum objects on loan from the Museé du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac
Nya:wëh for your generous support
Ganondagan would like to acknowledge the following organizations and people for making the WAMPUM/OTGOÄ exhibition possible:
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Terra Foundation for American Art
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Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac
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NYS Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation
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Friends of Ganondagan
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Rochester Museum & Science Center
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Rock Foundation
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JC Seneca Foundation
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Forge Project, traditional lands of the Muh-he-con-ne-ok
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Athens Fine Art Services, LLC
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Donn Vickers & Sharon Sachs
