An artifact that belonged to Seneca Chief Cornplanter has been transferred back to the ownership of the Seneca Nation of Indians.

The pipe tomahawk was a symbol of peace given as a gift to Cornplanter by George Washington. It went missing for nearly 150 years.

Seneca Nation President Rickey Armstrong says Thursday's ceremony was a reclamation of Cornplanter's legacy.

"Cornplanter was active in negotiations for very important treaties, particularly the Canandaigua Treaty of 1794, which guaranteed our land base and our territory,” said Rebecca Bowen, a relative of Cornplanter.

George Washington gave the pipe tomahawk to Cornplanter during those negotiations.

Bowen, a sixth-generation descendant, joined other descendants at the Seneca Iroquois National Museum to witness its return.

Historians say the pipe stayed in Cornplanter's family for generations before it was stolen.

Since then the artifact has been in the hands of private collectors.

The pipe was returned to the New York State Museum two years ago by an anonymous donor.

Prior to the official transfer of ownership, the piece was on loan to the Seneca Iroquois National Museum since March of last year. Now guests and members of the Nation can see it at the Seneca Museum on end.

The museum plans to display the piece at the center of a new exhibit that will honor Cornplanter.