Gallery Exhibit
This summer, I participated in the Two Row on the Grand, the annual 10-day paddle down the Grand River with Haudenosaunee Nations, an embodiment of the Two Row Wampum and in the spirit of “The Good Mind – Good Words – Good Actions”. Through sharing the river, meals, teachings, friendship and fun, it is a deeply meaningful experience for Indigenous and non-Indigenous to build mutual respect and understanding of individual values and culture. This trip inspired me to weave Two Row Wampum Reveal, Paddling Together on the Grand River, on display in the Hiding in Plain Sight/Site exhibition at Homer Watson House & Gallery in Kitchener, Ontario from November 14, 2025 until January 4, 2026.
Original beaded Wampum photo by Robin Martin
The Two Row Wampum is one of the oldest treaty relationships, made in 1613 between the Dutch and the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois). As was their custom for recording events of significance, the Haudenosaunee created a wampum belt out of purple and white quahog shells to commemorate the agreement.
“The belt consists of two rows of purple wampum beads on a white background. Three rows of white beads symbolizing peace, friendship, and respect separate the two purple rows. The two purple rows symbolize two paths or two vessels travelling down the same river. One row symbolizes the Haudenosaunee people with their law and customs, while the other row symbolizes European laws and customs. As nations move together side-by-side on the River of Life, they are to avoid overlapping or interfering with one another.” John Borrows, Indigenous legal scholar and author of Canada’s Indigenous Constitution.
The Two Row Wampum treaty made with the Dutch became the basis for all future Haudenosaunee relationships with European powers. The principles of the Two Row were consistently restated by Haudenosaunee spokespeople and were extended to relationships with the French, British, and Americans, with the understanding that the agreement would last “as long as the grass is green, as long as the water flows downhill, and as long as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.” – that being, forever.
In this framework people do not own land but belong to the land as a part of creation and they safeguard it on behalf of coming generations. The Two Row Wampum remains a treaty relationship that Haudenosaunee and other Indigenous nations defend today.
Read the full article by Tom Keefer: https://briarpatchmagazine.com/articles/view/a-short-introduction-to-the-two-row-wampum
Rag rugs
Choose from Hit and Miss or Block pattern, and hemmed or fringed ends. See pictures for examples of all four options.
Small mat, 26″ x 38″, $75.00
Custom sizes available (minimum width 26″)
Reduce landfill! Take a walk down memory lane… do you have favourite clothing or linens that can’t be used anymore? Transform them! Send me three or more articles and I will use them as material in a rag rug. Custom colours and material available.
Tea Towels
Contemporary pattern, 16″ x 24″
100% cotton, $25 each
Bamboo or linen blend, $30 each
Pick a bloom for your favourite room!
Please email for inquiries.
Michelle Stelter
mi@bloomtextiles.ca