Culture
Dancer - Ascension Harjo, World Championship Hoop Dancer, Six Nations of the Grand River

About Grand River Enterprises

GRE International is the largest private Indigenous owned company in the world, manufacturing and distributing products across more than 50 countries and 5 continents. Headquartered in southern Ontario on the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, GRE operates an expansive 750,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility.

Founded on the vision to re-establish our ancestors’ trade routes, we are continually expanding our global presence, while fulfilling our mission to seed local economic growth and prosperity for our Indigenous communities. We have donated over $40 Million dollars to Indigenous causes, including $25 Million dollars to Dreamcatcher Charitable Foundation, to develop our future leaders and provide life-changing opportunities.

At the same time, we don’t forget our roots. Our ownership is Haudenosaunee, living and working on our traditional territories in the Great Lakes region.

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Seneca

KEEPERS OF THE WSTERN DOOR

The People of the Great Hill. The Seneca Nation is the Western Doorkeeper of our common longhouse. Like the Mohawks, if anyone wishes to enter the territory of the Haudenosaunee from the west, they must seek permission from the Seneca first.

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Seneca2

KEEPERS OF THE WSTERN DOOR

The People of the Great Hill. The Seneca Nation is the Western Doorkeeper of our common longhouse. Like the Mohawks, if anyone wishes to enter the territory of the Haudenosaunee from the west, they must seek permission from the Seneca first.

x

bird-icon

Seneca3

KEEPERS OF THE WSTERN DOOR

The People of the Great Hill. The Seneca Nation is the Western Doorkeeper of our common longhouse. Like the Mohawks, if anyone wishes to enter the territory of the Haudenosaunee from the west, they must seek permission from the Seneca first.

x

bird-icon

Seneca4

KEEPERS OF THE WSTERN DOOR

The People of the Great Hill. The Seneca Nation is the Western Doorkeeper of our common longhouse. Like the Mohawks, if anyone wishes to enter the territory of the Haudenosaunee from the west, they must seek permission from the Seneca first.

x

bird-icon

Seneca5

KEEPERS OF THE WSTERN DOOR

The People of the Great Hill. The Seneca Nation is the Western Doorkeeper of our common longhouse. Like the Mohawks, if anyone wishes to enter the territory of the Haudenosaunee from the west, they must seek permission from the Seneca first.

x

The Hiawatha Wampum Belt

The Hiawatha Wampum Belt is a visual record of the creation of the League of the Haudenosaunee (also known as the Six Nations or Iroquois), when five warring nations; the Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, and Mohawk, buried their weapons of war to live in peace. The sixth nation in the Confederacy, the Tuscarora, joined after this Wampum was created. While the actual confederacy date is unknown, it is estimated to be hundreds of years ago and was the first peace treaty made in North America.

At the center of the Hiawatha Belt is the Confederacy's symbol, the "Great White Pine," also known as the "Tree of Peace." This center figure also represents the Onondaga Nation. The other original  Haudenosaunee nations of Seneca, Cayuga, Oneida, and Mohawk are visualized as squares. Today the Hiawatha Belt remains a symbol of peace, calling people to use their good minds instead of violence to settle their problems.

Purple Hiawatha Wampum Belt with feathers surrounding it

Video/Photography Credit: Shane Powless, Thru the Red Door. Six Nations of the Grand River