Donate Now to support the Two Row Wampum Renewal Campaign!
You can also contribute by check. Make checks payable to NOON or to make a tax-deductible contribution of $50 or more, write check to Syracuse Center for Peace & Social Justice (put NOON in memo line).
Send checks to NOON, 2013 E. Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13210 - download a contribution form
October 19, 2012
Dear friend of the Onondaga Nation:
Hopefully you’ve already heard about NOON’s ambitious plans to partner with the Onondaga Nation on a statewide initiative to mark the 400th anniversary of the Two Row Wampum Treaty, signed between the Haudenosaunee and Dutch in 1613. Building on NOON’s work in Central New York over the past decade, we aim to “polish the chain of peace and friendship” by extending our educational efforts throughout New York State.
We need your support to make this effort successful. Our projected budget is just over $350,000. Foundations and other funders want to know that there is support for the project. Please contribute as you’re able, $25, $50, $500 or more.
The Two Row Wampum Treaty provides an inspirational vision for peaceful co-existence of different nations living on and caring for the same land. This first treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Europeans is understood by the Haudenosaunee to be the foundation upon which all subsequent treaties were made. The treaty outlines a model of friendship and peace, of living in parallel forever, working together where appropriate and respecting one another’s sovereignty. It describes the Haudenosaunee and the Europeans as traveling down the river of life in different vessels, both agreeing not to interfere in the affairs of the other or to damage our shared environment. For centuries the Haudenosaunee have observed this treaty. We aim to use the 400th anniversary to build public support for U.S. governments and peoples to begin to keep up our side of the agreement.
Taking Our Vision to the People
With the dismissal of their land rights case in federal district court
(September 2010) and related court decisions, it appears that there is
little chance for justice and reconciliation for the Onondaga through
the U.S. legal system. On February 28, Onondaga leaders traveled to Washington,
DC to file the legal appeal for their case and to publicly appeal to the
people of the United States to hold our leaders accountable for the treaties
that the US has signed. Along with powerful statements by Tadadaho Sid
Hill, Faithkeeper Oren Lyons and Clanmother Freida Jacques, they showed
the original George Washington Wampum Belt created to mark the Treaty
of Canandaigua (watch the video on the NOON website). Following up on
this action by the Onondaga, NOON has developed this innovative project
to take the vision of the Two Row directly to the people of New York State.
Upholding our Side of the Treaties
The Two Row Wampum Renewal Campaign is an education and advocacy initiative
to raise awareness of and build support networks to address two interrelated
issues: the devastation experienced by the Haudenosaunee nations as part
of centuries-long efforts to destroy or assimilate them, and the environmental
damage in both our local region and around the globe. We will develop
a broad alliance between New Yorkers and the Haudenosaunee with the ultimate
goal of achieving social and economic justice for the Haudenosaunee as
well as environmental justice for New Yorkers. We believe that by working
with the Haudenosaunee, New York State can become a leader in promoting
innovative public policies that drive positive ecological and social change.
Spreading the Message Across New York State
Our broad educational effort will feature a strong internet presence,
social media, publications for schools and the community, and educational
and cultural events throughout the state. The campaign will highlight
the importance of the Two Row Wampum Treaty and call on New York State
and the U.S. to live up to their obligations under this and subsequent
treaties. Environmental cleanup and preservation will be a core component
of the campaign message.
Traveling Side-by-Side Down the Hudson River
A focal point of the campaign will be a symbolic “enactment”
of the treaty with Haudenosaunee and other native people paddling side-by-side
with allies and supporters down the Hudson River from Albany to New York
City in the summer of 2013. We will begin that effort with a festival
in Albany on Saturday, July 28 and the flotilla will set off the following
morning. We will stop along the route for educational and cultural events
and arrive in New York City on Friday, August 9 to participate in the
United Nations International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. The
following day (Saturday, August 10) we will hold a larger event to close
the enactment. We expect to involve diverse people and organizations,
including educational institutions, environmental groups, faith communities
and social justice organizations. There are already over 40 co-sponsoring
organizations!
In addition to funding to support the project, we also need people power. There are active committees working on educational programming, outreach, fundraising and planning of the symbolic enactment. We can use help in all those areas.
Please consider how you can support this important project with both your time and money.
In solidarity
