The George Washington Belt is one of the greatest examples of Haudenosaunee diplomacy with the United States. The belt represents the ratification of the 1794 Canandaigua Treaty, one of the United States’ earliest treaties. The George Washington Belt is one of the longest wampum belts as it is 6 feet in length. Although the length of the George Washington Belt is impressive, the most important aspect of this belt is what it represents; a treaty between two sovereign nations, the Haudenosaunee and the United States of America.
As early European settlers encountered the Haudenosaunee, they remarked on our diplomacy and diplomatic protocols. One of these protocols was the use of wampum to ratify agreements. Early settlers quickly adopted this method of ratifying treaties with the Haudenosaunee.
After the end of the American Revolution in 1783, the new United States of America looked to expand their borders past the Proclamation Line of 1763 westward to the Mississippi River. The United States coined the phrase “Manifest Destiny” to claim new lands. Unfortunately the native people living there did not agree with the idea of relinquishing their homelands to the United States.
Native leaders banned together to push the new settlers back out of their lands. In present day Ohio, Miami leader Little Turtle began fighting back. More and more native nations began to align with Little Turtle to help fight against the United States. Beginning in 1790, Little Turtle and his forces handed the US Army its biggest defeats to native nations in battles with General Harmer and General St Clair.
The United States fearing the Haudenosaunee joining forces with Little Turtle, began peace talks led by Timothy Pickering. The goal of this treaty was to establish peace between the United States and the Haudenosaunee, create a new boundary line between the Haudenosaunee and the United States, and institute a method to reconcile disagreements diplomatically. 
The results of this negotiation is the 1794 Canandaigua Treaty. To ratify the treaty, George Washington first presented this belt to the Haudenosaunee. Then George Washington presented this treat to the US Congress which ratified the written agreement.
The George Washington Belt is composed of thirteen figures holding hands connected to two figures and a house. The thirteen figures represent the thirteen States of the newly formed United States of America. The two smaller figures attached to the longhouse represent Tadodaho and George Washington. All figures are connected holding hands; signalizing peace between the two Nations.
The Canandaigua Treaty was created to end the quarrels between us. We agreed that together we shall live forever in peace and in friendship.
The Canandaigua Treaty states:
November 11, 1794 – The President of the United States having determined to hold a conference with the Six Nations of Indians, for the purpose of removing from their minds all causes of complaint, and establishing a firm and permanent friendship with them…
Article I – Peace and friendship are hereby firmly established, and shall be perpetual, between the United States and the Six Nations.
Since that time, this treaty continues to be active and provides the structure for the Haudenosaunee and the United States to work together in a government to government fashion.
Read entire treaty here
Read President Bill Clinton’s letter about the Canandaigua Treaty