The original wampum belts still exist and are now held by the chiefs at Onondaga, New York and Grand River. The belts that are on exhibition here are replicas, and used for educational purposes at all levels. Wampum, Onekórha, Mo., was much prized by the Iroquois and the Eastern Algonkians. It was made of white and purple shell. Wampum beads were strung into belts and strings. The Iroquois attached great importance to the mystical power of the beads. Strings of wampum were used to sanction council proceedings, to vouch for the integrity of a speaker, to give responsibility to an office, to solemnize a treaty or to assuage sorrow. Messages of particular importance were also made into strings and sent by a runner among the Six Nations. The Onondagas, Onontakehá: ka, Mo., Onontakehá:ka Ca., traditional Keepers of the Council Fire, were also Keepers of the League wampums. After the American Revolution, wampum took on a new significance with the founding of the Religion of Handsome Lake and wampum is used to lean authority and solemnity to religious ceremonies.