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.
NOON Launches Common Council Resolution Campaign
In mid-May 2009, NOON launched an effort 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.
Full Draft Resolution (RTF file for download)
Reference Citations (RTF file for download)
To get involved with this campaign contact Andy at andy@peacecouncil.net.
DVDs of the series Onondaga Land Rights and Our Common Future are available for $12 each; click here for more details and order form.
Upcoming Events
June 23, 2009: National Day of Prayer for Sacred Places observance at Willow Bay in Onondaga Lake Park, 1 - 2 pm. All who wish for the full clean-up and healing of Onondaga Lake are invited to attend. Bring your friends and family. For more information, contact Onondaga Nation Communications at 492-1922 or ONONCOMM@verizon.net, http://onondaganation.org.
June 27-28, 2009: Kanatsiohareke Mohawk Community Summer Festival, 10 am to 5 pm
Learn about Iroquois history, culture and traditions featuring
traditional craft demonstrations, traditional storytelling,
traditional and contemporary music, social dances, crafts for purchase
and more., $6-13 and older, $3-6-12 and seniors, under 5 free.
Info: info@mohawkcommunity.com or 347-922-1345
News
Honoring the Onondaga Nation: The History and Context of the Washington Square Park Monument - an informational brochure
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.
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.