Onondaga Nation Files Appeal of their Land Rights Action
On Tuesday, February 28, leaders of the Onondaga Nation and Haudenosaunee
Confederacy traveled to Washington, DC to announce the filing of the Onondaga
appeal of their historic Land Rights Action. To highlight the importance,
they brought with them the initial wampum belt commissioned by President
George Washington to mark the 1794 Treaty of Canandaigua.
Federal Judge Dismisses Onondaga Land Rights Action
On September 23, 2010, over 50 NOON supporters joined with
friends at the Onondaga Nation to express our solidarity with the Onondaga
in the wake of the federal court dismissal of the Onondaga Land Rights Action
and recommit ourselves to the work of getting our nation to live up to the
terms of the treaties we have signed with the Onondaga. NOON will continue
our discussions about how best to convince our people to act justly. Read
More. See Photos
from the vigil. Read Judge Kahn's decision here
(pdf file, 16 pp.)
Onondaga Land Rights Action Background
On March 11, 2005 the Onondaga Nation filed an historic Land Rights Action in
federal court in Syracuse. The following is from the Onondaga Nation Communications
Office. For further information about the land rights action, see the Onondaga
Nation website at http://www.onondaganation.org.
Also available: Onondaga Nation Announces
Land Rights Action (March 10, 2005).
Specific Goals of the Onondaga Land Rights Action
To achieve a healing with our neighbors of the centuries of difficulties
caused by the illegal taking of Onondaga and Haudenosaunee lands.
To restore to the Onondaga Nation recognition of title to its aboriginal
territory.
To recover possession of portions of this territory from New York State
and willing sellers for use of the Onondaga people.
To secure a continuing source of revenue from the Nation's lands without
displacing persons from the land.
To secure revenues and land sufficient to achieve economic self-sufficiency,
including:
An adequate supply of quality housing
A quality education system
Affordable, quality health care
Sound and sustainable agricultural programs
Programs for the proper care of elders and youth
A program for environmental restoration and protection
Employment opportunities for the Nation and its neighbors.
"To protect and conserve the natural resources within and affecting the
Nation's land, as a means of safeguarding all citizens' rights to a natural,
healthy and environment.
"To obtain basic recognition of the rights of the Onondaga Nation, including
those rights agreed upon in treaties with the United States.
"To secure Onondaga rights to hunt, fish and gather for subsistence and
for cultural needs.
"To secure adequate protection for the burial sites of our ancestors,
as well as other important sacred and archaeological sites.
"To resolve all ongoing conflicts with the state and federal governments,
particularly regarding taxation and jurisdiction.
"To provide for the growth and perpetuation of Onondaga culture, language,
laws, religion, and way of life."
A detailed, four-page information
flier (PDF) about the Onondaga Land Rights Action is available for download.
As residents of New York State we support the land rights action filed by
the Onondaga Nation against the State of New York on March 11, 2005.
We understand that no individual will be sued and that there is no action
requested against any individual property owners. Our homes are not in jeopardy.
We thank the Onondagas for their efforts to protect and heal the water,
land and air, which we all share, from the devastating effects of industrial
pollution of the environment.
We share these environmental concerns, and pledge our support for a just
resolution to this legal action. It is our intention to contribute to making
right the historic wrongs done to the Onondaga people.
We are hopeful that the outcome of this process will be a safer and healthier
environment for all of us, for our children and the generations to follow.