Business Lessons from Wampum 

Submitted by Victoria Workman, Professor, Business and Supply Chain Management 

A Business-Accounting class recently took part in a wampum workshop in SLC Cornwall’s Waasaabiidaasamose Indigenous Centre. Wampum, or traditional beads, have been and are used by Indigenous Peoples to record important words and meetings, as a form of an agreement, treaty, or alliance. 

I worked with Indigenous Student Advisor, Shirley Chaisson, to develop a hands-on activity where students created a mini beaded wampum. Not only did this experiential activity provide a change of pace from the classroom, but it engaged students differently in learning about ethics, social responsibility, and building an inclusive culture. 

Students were introduced beforehand to Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being, brief history of Indigenous People in Canada, and the Haudenosaunee traditions of wampum. 
The engagement was incredible! For almost three full hours, phones were barely touched as Shirley provided expert guidance on how to string a loom and then connect beads to re-create the Two-Row and Dish with One Spoon wampum. 

What did we learn? “The first step was the hardest,” reflected one student. Patience, focus and persistence were all words used to describe the experience. Students also reflected on the importance of respect and honouring an agreement, and how that lesson can be used with business leaders. Students now have a tangible “reminder of the importance of making agreements,” said Shirley, and a way to “honour all your relationships as you move forward in life,” (and business)!