Welcome Everyone

The Two Row Wampum and Its Meaning

The name "Two Row Global Trade Alliance" is inspired by the Two Row Wampum Belt, a historic agreement between the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Dutch settlers in 1613. The wampum belt, made of purple and white beads, represents a mutual promise of peace and respect. It features two parallel rows of purple beads on a white background. The purple rows symbolize a Haudenosaunee canoe and a European ship, traveling side by side down the river of life. The white background represents peace, friendship, and a shared path.

The core principle of the Two Row Wampum is that both peoples would coexist without interfering in each other's affairs, each respecting the other's laws, customs, and way of life. This historic agreement is a powerful symbol of Indigenous sovereignty and the foundation for a nation-to-nation relationship.

A Vision for Indigenous-Led Trade

The Two Row Global Trade Alliance is not a single, formally established organization but rather a conceptual framework for Indigenous-led economic development. It's a vision for a global trade system that is:

• Sovereignty-based: It recognizes that Indigenous nations are self-governing entities with the inherent right to control their own economies and resources.

• Culture-driven: It prioritizes the preservation of traditional knowledge, cultural practices, and intellectual property. This includes protecting traditional crafts, artistic expressions, and sustainable land management techniques from being exploited.

• Reciprocal and Sustainable: It moves away from exploitative models and promotes trade relationships built on mutual benefit and environmental stewardship. This aligns with Indigenous values of caring for the land for future generations.

Beyond a Traditional Trade Agreement

Unlike typical free trade agreements (FTAs) that focus on lowering tariffs and removing barriers for maximum profit, the Two Row Global Trade Alliance concept emphasizes a more holistic approach. It’s about building a new kind of global economy—one that is both prosperous and ethical. Initiatives that embody this vision are already happening. For instance, the Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement (IPETCA), initiated by Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Chinese Taipei, is a cooperation-based arrangement designed to enhance Indigenous participation in international trade while respecting Indigenous rights and self-determination.

The Alliance's goals would include:

• Facilitating Indigenous-to-Indigenous trade: Strengthening economic ties and partnerships between Indigenous nations and communities worldwide.

• Promoting Indigenous-owned businesses: Creating pathways for Indigenous entrepreneurs to access global markets while maintaining control over their products and brand.

• Advocating for policy change: Pushing for the inclusion of Indigenous rights, intellectual property protections, and environmental standards in international trade agreements.

Why It Matters

The Two Row Global Trade Alliance is more than just an economic model; it's a call to action. It offers a powerful alternative to the conventional, often extractive, global economic system. By centering Indigenous values of sustainability, reciprocity, and respect, it provides a blueprint for a more just and equitable future for all. It's about moving forward together, on parallel paths, in a way that benefits humanity and the planet.