Wampum Artifacts

This contemporary belt uses a city skyline to connect traditional wampum with modern Indigenous identity and urban life.

Compelling Question: How do Indigenous materials and knowledge influence contemporary art and design?
Social Studies Standards	NYS.SS.4.4: Differing levels of government in New York State NYS.SS.7.2: Native American groups developed political, economic, and social systems NYS.SS.11.1: Contact and exchange between diverse peoples in North America

Featured Sources
Source A: Wampum Bowl Source B: Wampum Accessory

Formative Performance Tasks
DELIBERATE:	Students consider: How does this artifact compare your existing views on wampum and its use? Anything new and surprising?
COLLABORATE:	Students discuss the different uses of wampum in contemporary Indigenous artwork.
PRODUCE:	Students write a short reflection: How can traditions evolve while maintaining meaning?

Teacher Guidance
Deliberate: Ask students: What have we learned so far about wampum? What was it used for?Chart responses (ex: treaties, belts, history, diplomacy). Display the bowl and sash images side by side. Ask students to silently observe and jot down: What do you notice? What seems different from what we’ve studied? What materials do you see? How are these items being used? Do these uses seem ceremonial, everyday, artistic, or something else? Does this match your earlier understanding of wampum? Why or why not? Explain that wampum continues to be used today in art, jewelry, and personal expression while still holding cultural meaning. Collaborate: Students discuss: How do these objects expand your understanding of wampum? Why might people wear or display wampum today? Can something be both artistic and culturally meaningful? Groups share one key idea that changed or expanded their thinking. Produce: Students complete a short written reflection: How has your understanding of wampum changed? Include at least one example from the images. Optional extension: Design a modern use of wampum that reflects identity or community and explain its meaning.

Teacher Guidance

Deliberate:

Ask students: What have we learned so far about wampum? What was it used for?Chart responses (ex: treaties, belts, history, diplomacy).
Display the bowl and sash images side by side.
Ask students to silently observe and jot down: What do you notice? What seems different from what we’ve studied?
- What materials do you see?
- How are these items being used?
- Do these uses seem ceremonial, everyday, artistic, or something else?
- Does this match your earlier understanding of wampum? Why or why not?
Explain that wampum continues to be used today in art, jewelry, and personal expression while still holding cultural meaning.

Collaborate:

Students discuss:
- How do these objects expand your understanding of wampum?
- Why might people wear or display wampum today?
- Can something be both artistic and culturally meaningful?
Groups share one key idea that changed or expanded their thinking.

Produce:

Students complete a short written reflection: How has your understanding of wampum changed? Include at least one example from the images.
Optional extension: Design a modern use of wampum that reflects identity or community and explain its meaning.