About NOON
Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation (NOON) is a grassroots organization of Central New Yorkers which recognizes and supports the sovereignty of the traditional government of the Onondaga Nation. It is a program of the Syracuse Peace Council. NOON supports the right of native peoples to reclaim land, and advocates for fair settlement of any claims which are filed.
The goals of NOON are to:
- Promote understanding of, and respect for, the Onondaga people, history, and culture within the Central New York community.
- Provide accurate information about the Onondaga Nation's current issues of concern, such as their Land Rights Action.
- Challenge racism towards the Onondaga people through education, building relationships, and encouraging shared experiences between the people of our Nations.
- Support, and collaborate with, the Onondaga Nation in their initiatives to promote environmental healing and restore respectful relationships between the governments of our Nations.
- Advocate for just and fair treatment of the Onondaga people at all levels of our own government.
What You Can Do
Everyone has gifts that they bring to the discussion of any issue. Please use your talents
to help create understanding and reason at this crucial time. We are asking that you show
your support of our neighbors, the Onondagas:
- Sign NOON's solidarity statement
- Educate yourself and others with background materials
- Write a letter to the editor of the Post-Standard, Syracuse New Times and other publications
- Request a presentation by NOON at your faith community/school/community organization, or organize a house party
- Attend a craft fair or public cultural event on the Onondaga Nation
- Get involved with NOON; check out our volunteer form (PDF)
- Speak up in every day conversation that the issue is acknowledgement of land rights and justice; listen to friends, family, coworkers, neighbors and then express your support, knowledge and experience to correct misconceptions, increase understanding and dispel fears
- Clarify that the people of the Onondaga Nation have stated that they will not evict anyone remind others that no one has ever been evicted because of a land claim; emphasize he focus of redress by the Onondagas on the environment which we all share.
Show Your Support
Show your support for our neighbors with buttons (above, $1 suggested donation) and bumperstickers (below, $1.50 suggested donation), available at the Peace Council office at 2013 East Genesee St.
The first court hearing in the Onondaga Land Rights Action took
place on October 11, 2007 at Federal District Court, 445 Broadway,
Room 509, Albany, NY. (See
map) The Onondaga Nation and the general public continue to await
the courts decision on this matter critical to the future of Central New
York.
Background articles for further reading: Onondagas Make the Case For Their "Day in Court" and Can the Onondagas Find Justice in Our Courts?
DVDs of the series Onondaga Land Rights and Our Common Future are available for $12 each; click here for more details and order form.
News
On Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving Day), a Circle of Peace and Hope met on the shore of Onondaga Lake to give thanks to the Onondaga Nation and its people. See photos from the event and read the article from the Syracuse Post-Standard.
New article: Taxing Up the Wrong Tree - from the Peace Newsletter
New article: Working To Truly Clean Up Onondaga Lake - an update on the Lake's cleanup status and what you can do
NOON's Andy Mager was interviewed by "Indigenous Politics: From Native New England and Beyond," a Connecticut radio program. The topic was "Tribal and Non-Native Alliance Building." The interview can be downloaded here.
Check out videos from the historic educational series "Onondaga Land Rights and Our Common Future", coordinated by NOON in 2006.
Onondaga County Scraps ineffective "sewage treatment" in favor of green technology. This is a big victory for the Onondaga Nation, the Partnership for Onondaga Creek and all the people of the region.
Upcoming event: Roots of Peacemaking: Indigenous Values, Global Crisis: An International Day of Peace at the birthplace of democracy. mid-September. Full details to come - Onondaga Lake Park, Liverpool (near Salt Museum). There will be Haudenosaunee traditional foods, artisans, speakers, music and dancing. For more information, see http://rootsofpeacemaking.syr.edu or call or 315-443-3861.
Read background on some of the historical markers concerning the Onondaga people in the Central New York area on our Markers Project page. This ongoing project looks first at two historical markers near Jamesville, N.Y.
Last year's educational series Onondaga Land Rights & Our Common Future concluded with a Grand Finale featuring social dancing led by the Haudenosaunee Singers and Dancers from the Onondaga Nation. Nearly 300 people came out to celebrate the success of the series and continue the learning, sharing and relationship-building.
DVDs of the programs in the series are available for $12 each; click here for more details and order form.