Onondaga leader said he was 'uplifted' by those who back Nation's claim
Onondaga Nation Tadodaho Sidney Hill speaks Tuesday evening at a vigil for those who disagree with a federal court ruling that dismissed Onondaga land rights claims.Syracuse, NY -- A candlelight vigil attracted nearly 50 supporters of the Onondaga nation’s land rights lawsuit to Clinton Square Thursday evening, only a day after a federal judge threw out the suit.
Carrying signs saying “We support Onondaga land rights,” “We stand on Onondaga land” and “Honor Native American treaties,” people at the vigil said they disagreed with the court’s ruling. “This court decision does not represent our beliefs,” said Andy Mager, a member of Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation and an organizer of the vigil.
He said the ruling was just another in "a long tradition of broken treaties."
Mary Ronan, a SUNY ESF student from Rushford, told the circle of people that if the state government won’t apologize to the Onondaga Nation, then Americans ought to apologize as individuals.
Joan Savage, of Syracuse, struck an optimistic note. She called the ruling “a bump in the road.”
Several members of the Onondaga Nation attended the vigil.
Sidney Hill, tadodaho, or spiritual leader, of the Onondaga Nation Council of Chiefs, thanked the crowd. He said he felt “uplifted” to know that so many people came out to support the Nation.
He said chiefs would meet Friday to discuss what to do next.
“If we’re not allowed in your courts, where do we go for past wrong doing?” he asked.
He said he felt bad when he learned of the court ruling, but on Thursday he said, “we’ll learn from this.”
Faithkeepers Wendy Gonyea and Dee Thompson heard about the event and were pleased that so many people came with less than a day’s notice.
“It makes me feel better to know that our supporting neighbors are with us,” Thompson said.
As the vigil began, two woman - one in tradition Native American clothing - approached the gathering with signs accusing Onondaga Nation leaders of wrong doing. Several people from the vigil spoke with the two away from gathering. The women left shortly thereafter.
Contact Charles McChesney at cmcchesney@syracuse.com.