Annuity Cloth Symbolizes That Treaty Is Living Document
Within the articles of the Treaty of Canandaigua
the promises of friendship, peace and continual recognition of sovereignty between
the members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the United States are clearly
delineated. A testimony to the 
treaty's everlasting viability
is the yearly disbursement from the federal government of annuity or treaty
cloth to Nation Members. Although the disbursement has changed over the years
and the amount of fabric diminished, the symbolism of the cloth remains steadfast.
The annuity cloth is tangible proof that the articles of the treaty are, and will remain, indelible. The pledges, signed on a government-to-government basis, are part of a living document and will continue forever, said Kim Jacobs (Wolf Clan), Nation Clerk.
It is Kim's responsibility to distribute the Nation's annual allotment of treaty cloth. Three bolts of muslin have been delivered to the Nation to be equally divided amongst Members. The size of each Members' piece of cloth has decreased from one quarter yard last year to 4 inches wide by 48 inches long this year, said Kim.
The reason, she explained, is there were no provisions in the treaty for adjusting for inflation. The amount of money promised to the Six Nations of the Confederacy 200 years ago to purchase various goods is small by today's standards. The $4,500 originally allocated for goods to be divided between the nations does not have the buying power it enjoyed at the time of the treaty's signing, she said.
"The size of the cloth is immaterial," said Kim. "Gloria Halbritter's (Wolf Clan) mother, Mary Winder, told her to always collect the cloth even if it gets as small as a postage stamp. It's true. It's not the amount, it's the importance of what the cloth represents that matters."
The 1998 treaty cloth will be sent by mail to Members who are 18 years and older within the next few months, said Kim. The Nation knew a decrease in the size of the allotment was imminent and had previously notified Members to expect a smaller portion, said Kim.
Members use the cloth for various purposes, she said. Last year was the first time Kim actually took possession of her allotment. In past years, her family signed their cloth over to her maternal grandmother, who wished to preserve it for posterity. Kim, following the tradition set by her grandmother, framed her first allotment and has it on display in her home.
"The cloth is a symbol of our sovereignty and the respect accorded to us by the United States government," said Kim. "It is proof that the United States is still bound by the mandates of the treaty which acknowledged our exemption from taxation and assures that we may always remain on our lands undisturbed."
Intro to the Treaty of Canandaigua.
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