A string of sacred wampum beads given to the state of New York more than 200 years ago made its way back to the Onondaga Nation last Friday.

The wampum had been posted for auction on eBay. Bids were going as high as $600 when the tribe threatened suit.

The state intervened and the holder of the six beads agreed to hand it over. The tribe paid slightly over $600 for its share of the wampum.

The wampum were a gift from Kakiktoton, an Onondaga leader who signed the 1788 Treaty of Fort Schuyler with the state.

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Sacred Onondaga relic finds way back home (The Syracuse Post-Standard 2/2)