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.
Onondaga Land Rights & Our Common
Future educational series is set to open on Monday, February
8 at 7 pm at Syracuse Stage with Brighten the Chain: Treaty Commitments,
Showing of the DVD "Brighten the Chain" followed by reflections
from: Jake Edwards, Joe Heath, Sid Hill, Audrey Shenandoah, Jeanne Shenandoah,
Stephanie Waterman and others. A full year of inspiring and informative
educational programs is scheduled to run through December 2010. The schedule
is still being worked out, but you can check out what's set here. This
collaboration will be even larger than the 2006 version, including major
participation from Syracuse University, SUNY ESF as well as support from
Le Moyne College, Empire State College, Ithaca College, Wells College
and others.
NOON Advocates Ban on "Hydrofracking"Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation strongly supports a ban on permitting gas wells that use horizontal drilling and hydro-fracturing. We take this position after hearing from friends at the Onondaga Nation. Read our news release.
Upcoming Events: Natural Gas with Un-Natural Consequences: The Health Risks of Shale Gas Drilling, Tuesday, February 23, 6:30-8:30 at The Forum room, Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3), 170 North St, Dryden, NY. The presenters will be Ron Bishop, lecturer in Chemistry at SUNY Oneonta; Thomas Shelly, chemical safety and hazardous materials specialist; Adam Law, a physician who specializes in endocrinology.
Read more about "hydrofracking"
Threat of Toxic Deep Well Disposal in Pulteney Toxic Invasion: Predatory Corporation vs. Pulteney, a presentation by Walter Hang, Toxicologist, will be held Friday, Feb. 5 at 1 p.m. at Pulteney Fire House, 8891 Brown Rd, Pulteney. On Sunday, Feb. 7, there will be a panel discussion on deep well disposal of concentrated brine laced with unspecified chemicals in an abandoned gas well in Pulteney with Congressman Eric Massa and others at the Pulteney Fire House. For more information, contact Jeff & Jodi Andrysick at 607-868-7889.
Watch an online video of environmental scientist and NOON supporter Don Hughes offering a guided tour via canoe of prospects to clean up and revitalize Onondaga Creek.
NOON Common Council Resolution Campaign on
hold until after upcoming election: Keep your eyes out for the restart
of our effort in early 2010 to get the Syracuse Common Council to pass
the Resolution of Respect for and Reconciliation with the Onondaga
Nation. The resolution acknowledges the illegal taking of Onondaga
land and commits the city of Syracuse to working with the Onondaga to
clean up the environment and promote social healing, build positive and
respectful relations with our Onondaga neighbors and redress the injustices
which have occurred.
Support the Onondaga Nation - Urge
the Syracuse Common Council to pass a Resolution of Respect for and Reconciliation
with the Onondaga Nation.
News
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.
Honoring the Onondaga Nation: The History and Context of the Washington Square Park Monument - an informational brochure
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.