IROQUOIS CAUCUS SIGNS HISTORIC NATION-TO-NATION TRADE & COMMERCE AGREEMENT
The elected representatives of six Haudenosaunee communities have officially signed the Nation-to-Nation Trade and Commerce Protocol Agreement, marking a significant step in revitalizing traditional trade relationships and strengthening inter-nation partnerships within the Iroquois Caucus.
The agreement brings together the Six Nations of the Grand River, Mohawks of Akwesasne, Mohawks of Kahnawa:ke, Mohawks of Kanehsata:ke, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, and the Oneida Nation of the Thames under a shared mandate to collaborate on economic development, trade, and nation-building efforts rooted in Haudenosaunee values and the inherent right to self-determination.
This historic agreement affirms the signatories’ commitment to:
- Identify and support mutually beneficial trade opportunities;
- Share knowledge, resources, and best practices;
- Promote educational and workforce exchanges;
- Respect the sovereignty, jurisdiction, and traditions of each community;
- Conduct trade consistent with the spirit of the Two Row Wampum, working together in unity, peace, and friendship.
The Iroquois Caucus Trade Alliance, formed through this agreement, will serve as a vehicle for advancing economic sovereignty and cooperative development among Haudenosaunee Nations — ensuring a fair and equitable approach to trade and prosperity for current and future generations.
Following the signing, leaders participated in a traditional exchange of goods representing their respective communities. This meaningful gesture symbolized their gratitude, commitment to trade and cultural revitalization, and the enduring relationships among sister communities across the Confederacy.
“This agreement reflects our shared commitment to build a stronger future for our people by working together in the spirit of peace, unity, and mutual respect,” said Grand Chief Leonard Lazore of the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne. “Through this partnership, we are restoring traditional trade pathways and creating new opportunities for growth and prosperity across the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.”
The agreement acknowledges the historic and ongoing presence of the Haudenosaunee across both sides of the international border and recognizes that the right to trade and conduct commerce is an inherent and protected right of Indigenous Nations.
By entering into this agreement, the signatory communities reaffirm their dedication to supporting Indigenous-led economic development, strengthening inter-nation relationships, and upholding the responsibilities to their citizens, lands, and future generations.
