Onondaga Nation

Onondaga Nation. The Onondaga Nation, known in their language as Onoñda’gegá’ or "People of the Hills," is a sovereign Native American nation and a founding member of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy. For centuries, their central council fire has been maintained at Onondaga Lake in what is now New York, establishing them as the symbolic and political heart of the historic Six Nations. The nation continues to uphold its traditional Gayanashagowa (Great Law of Peace) while navigating complex relationships with the United States and New York.

History

The Onondaga are central figures in the founding narrative of the Haudenosaunee, with the Great Peacemaker, Hiawatha, and Tadodaho playing key roles in establishing the confederacy on the shores of Onondaga Lake. They were pivotal in the Beaver Wars and maintained a complex diplomatic stance during the American Revolutionary War, with some warriors fighting alongside the British Army under leaders like Cornplanter. Post-war, the 1784 Treaty of Fort Stanwix and the 1794 Canandaigua Treaty sought to define their territory, but subsequent agreements like the 1788 Treaty of Fort Schuyler and actions by the State of New York, including the Onondaga Salt Springs Reservation, led to significant land loss. Throughout the 19th century, figures like Ely S. Parker emerged from the nation, contributing to broader Native American history.

Government and politics

The nation is governed by a council of Hoyenah (Clan Mothers) and Sachems selected according to the Gayanashagowa. This traditional government operates independently from the Bureau of Indian Affairs system, asserting inherent sovereignty. The current Tadodaho, Sidney Hill, leads the council, which addresses both internal matters and external relations with entities like the United States Department of the Interior and the United Nations. The nation is also a member of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council and has engaged in international advocacy, such as participating in forums at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

Culture and society

Cultural life is rooted in the Onondaga language, ceremonial cycles, and the Longhouse Religion founded by Handsome Lake. Key ceremonies include the Midwinter Festival and the Green Corn Ceremony. Society is matrilineal, organized into nine clans including the Wolf clan, Turtle clan, and Bear clan. The Onondaga Nation School emphasizes language and cultural education. Traditional arts like wampum belt crafting and lacrosse, a game with deep spiritual significance, remain vital. The nation has produced notable artists and athletes, such as the Thompson lacrosse family.

Land and environment

The nation's territory is centered on a 7,300-acre reservation south of Syracuse, New York, bordering Onondaga Lake and Onondaga Creek. This land is considered sacred, embodying their creation story. The nation has been a leading voice in environmental restoration, notably filing a landmark legal claim for the cleanup of Onondaga Lake, which was polluted by industrial operations from companies like Allied Chemical. Their environmental philosophy is guided by the Haudenosaunee principle of considering the impact on the seventh generation.

Contemporary issues

The nation actively pursues land rights claims, including a 2005 land claim against New York for illegal takings, which was dismissed in federal court but remains a political priority. It issues its own passports and has engaged in high-profile disputes over their validity with governments like the United Kingdom. Environmental justice, particularly the ongoing remediation of Onondaga Lake by Honeywell International, is a major focus. The nation also works to revitalize the Onondaga language and assert treaty rights, while maintaining its political independence from the U.S. federal government and opposing state interference, as seen in conflicts over taxation and jurisdiction.

Category:Onondaga Nation Category:Native American tribes in New York (state) Category:Federally recognized tribes in the United States Category:Haudenosaunee