Earlier this year the Peabody Institute was fortunate to add two impressive wampum belt replicas to its collection of contemporary Native American art.
Tony Gonyea, Faith Keeper of the Onondaga Nation, is well known for crafting modern wampum belt replicas, melding traditional designs and techniques with modern materials. A 2014 article by Wendy Gonyea on the Onondaga Nation’s website tells us that Tony’s oñgwehoñwe name is Wah’hasoñhdah, “He’s adding on.” Tony explains that to create a belt, “It takes hours upon hours into the evening. Working a little at a time, but when a belt is finished the end product is amazing. It feels nearly as powerful as the original.”
Both belts have already made appearances in community programs and classes, and we anticipate that Tony’s belts will remain popular with Peabody Institute visitors.
The Peabody 