Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation

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.

News

Article: Taxing Up the Wrong Tree - from the Peace Newsletter

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.

Onondaga Land Rights Series
Mark your calendar, Native People in Popular Culture, Stereotypes and Mascots, Friday, September 24, 7 pm, Empire State College, 6333 Route 298, East Syracuse map. Speakers: Suzan Harjo, Michael Taylor and Doug George-Kanentiio. Download the flier (pdf)

Summaries and photos of the earlier events of the series are now available along with the complete listing of the Common Future II events.

Onondaga Lake Restoration Act Introduced
On July 6, 2010 a news conference was held at the Inner Harbor to publicize the introduction of the Onondaga Lake Restoration Act into the US Congress. Congressmember Dan Maffei, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and other public official spoke as well as Onondaga Faithkeeper Oren Lyons, Ed Michalenko (Onondaga Environmental Institute) and Brian Smith (Citizens Campaign for the Environment). NOON applauds this development. See more photos.

NOON Advocates Ban on "Hydrofracking"

Special Peace Newsletter section on hydrofracking published. NOON has published an 8 page primer on hydrofracking as part of the June PNL. Download it here (pdf) or pick up copies at the office, 2013 E. Genesee St., Syracuse.

Iroquois Nationals Win Without Playing
First the US, then the British governments took actions which prevented the Iroquois Nationals from participating in the 2010 Lacrosse World Championship. Despite the poise and clarity of the team, tremendous grassroots support and surprisingly good media coverage, they were prevented from traveling on their Haudenosaunee passports. Read more