August 9, 2010 Force’s work against hydro-fracking, including its the Onondaga Land Rights Action, allowing the The Oneida Nation’s land claim is dismisssed by coalition-building to prevent this dangerous gas 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals dismissal of the case the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals. The revived legal extraction method from being used in the state. to stand. The Onondaga called the decision “an- concept of laches was used to rule the Oneidas had other example of the shameful history of broken Historical Timeline of unduly delayed the filing of their claim. The ruling February 28, 2012 treaties, land thefts, forced removal and cultural allowed no remedy for historic wrongs. Onondaga Nation files appeal of their Land Rights genocide” and vowed to take their case to an in- Action at the National Press Club in Washington, ternational arena. September 22, 2010 D.C. They bring the belt commissioned Onondaga Land Rights Action, is dismissed by by George Washington to commemorate the Treaty April 15, 2014 Onondaga-U.S. History U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence E. Kahn, citing of Canandaigua to remind the U.S. government and The Onondaga Nation files a petition before the a “readily identifiable disruptive nature” of the people of their treaty obligations. Other Haudeno- Inter-American Human Rights Commission of Onondaga claim. Suggesting he had no alterna- saunee Chiefs, Clanmothers and Faithkeepers join the Organization of American States seeking the Photo: Charlotte Logan tive: “Sherill, Cayuga and Oneida foreclose any the Onondaga leaders. just and fair remedy that the United States courts possibility that the Onondaga Nation’s action may failed to provide. The petition describes a variety of prevail, the Court is bound by these precedent October 19, 2012 human rights violations inflicted on the Onondaga to find the Nation’s claim equitably barred and The US 2nd Circuit Appeals Court dismisses the by the United States. subject to dismissal.” Onondaga Land Rights Action just one week after hearing oral arguments. The Court ignored October 25, 2010 evidence that the claim was not “disruptive” as

The ’ and Onondaga General Counsel Joe evidenced by the packed courtroom at the hearing. Graphics John Fadden, Heath address the community on the topic: “Onondaga Land Rights: Progress for Summer 2013 Mother Earth.” They proclaim that the struggle to As part of the Two Row Wampum Renewal Cam- heal the theft of the Nation’s lands will continue paign over 70 educational events are held across and that the Nation will continue working with its New York State and beyond. Hundreds of people neighbors to heal the land, waters, air and the his- participate in a paddle from Onondaga to New toric injustices inflicted on the . York City and the UN, thousands of people join in for events and hundreds of newspaper articles, November 19, 2010 radio and television interviews are published. The Jeanne Shenandoah and Joe Heath deliver a key- group is welcomed at the UN by Secretary-General note presentation to the National People’s Oil and Ban Ki-moon. Gas Summit, attended by about 400 people from ...909 extensive casualties, this imperialist attack without 1776 26 states. This presentation describes the Nation’s October 15, 2013 Earliest date established by non-Indian scholars for warning was not successful and Champlain was John Hancock, President of the Continental Con- and the Haundenosaunee Environmental Task The United States Supreme Court refuses to hear the founding of the Confederacy. The Peacemaker seriously wounded. gress, sends a wampum belt to the Haudenosaunee gathers representatives from the Five Nations to to “show good intentions” and “cultivate peace.” bury their weapons and agree to the Great Law of 1654 French send Jesuit Simon LeMoyne to Onondagas. Compiled by NOON with consultation Onondaga Nation historians and Robert W. Venables Peace forming the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. 1777 Despite intense pressures by both the British and 1452 1677 American colonists, the Haudenosaunee decide to Papal Bull (letter from Pope Nicholas V) bestows Treaty negotiations in Albany result in the first remain neutral during the Revolutionary War. As co- “special graces… to invade, search out, capture, known Silver Treaty with New York, lonial combatants vie for the land, they continue to vanquish, and subdue all Saracens and pagans Massachusetts, and Connecticut. encroach upon Native communities, implementing whatsoever.” This initiated the “Doctrine of Dis- the policy of divide and conquer. Through coercion, covery,” which served to justify the subjugation of 1694 some individuals break from the Confederacy. In indigenous people throughout the world, including The French attack the Onondaga. The French find part, Mohawks and Senecas ally with the British, Native . abandoned villages, decide to burn the crops of as do Oneidas and Tuscaroras with the colonists. the Onondaga. 1493 1779 The Inter Caetera Bull issued by Pope Alexander VI 1713-1722 George Washington orders General Sullivan to elaborated on the earlier bull, further codifying and Tuscaroras are adopted into the Haudenosaunee destroy all of the Haudenosaunee and to burn their validating Christian conquest of non-Christians. Confederacy after being defeated in war by colonists crops and villages. This came to be known as the in North Carolina who sought to make slaves of Sullivan and Clinton Campaign. Colonial soldiers 1613 their people. burned Onondaga villages, killing at least 1. An Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation (NOON) is a grassroots effort of Central New Yorkers. We support the Probable date of the first treaty between the Onondaga Chief recalled: “When they came to the Haudenosaunee and the Dutch, signified by 1744 Onondaga Town (of which I was one of the princi- sovereignty of the Onondaga Nation’s traditional government, their Land Rights Action and we collaborate During treaty negotiations in Lancaster, PA, with them on environmental protection and restoration. We join in the Onondaga Nation’s call for justice, the Two Row Wampum, the Guswenta. For the pal Chiefs) They put to death all the Women and Haudenosaunee, this formed the basis for all fu- Canasatego, an Onondaga chief, urges the English Children, excepting some of the young Women that reconciliation and healing. We believe that we, and the wider community, have a great deal to learn from the ture relations with European settlers. It establishes colonists to unite by following the example of the they carried away for the use of their Soldiers, and Onondagas about living more peacefully with one another and more harmoniously with the Earth. NOON is the idea of two separate but equal nations that will Haudenosaunee. were put to death in a more shameful and Scan- respect one another’s sovereignty. dalous manner; Yet these Rebels calls themselves a project of the Syracuse Peace Council. For more information, or to join in our efforts, contact: 1754 Christians.” General John Sullivan invaded other Benjamin Franklin’s “Albany Plan of Union” for a 1615 Haudenosaunee lands. These actions encouraged central government of the British colonies names NOON Samuel de Champlain and an army of hundreds many neutral Haudenosaunee to side with British its legislative branch “the Grand Council,” language 2013 East Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13210 of Hurons (Wyandot) attack and lay siege to the forces in the War of Independence. Onondaga fortified town on the shores of Onondaga directly borrowed from the Haudenosaunee. (315) 472-5478 * [email protected] * www.peacecouncil.net/noon Lake, between Onondaga and Ley Creeks. Despite Franklin often met with Haudenosaunee leaders. continued inside ONONDAGA HISTORICAL TIMELINE

1783 passage between the U.S. and Canada and do not have 1890 Late 40’s 1980 hopefully temporary, setback for Native sovereignty. U.S. War of Independence ends with the colonists to pay a duty or toll. A second school is built on the Onondaga Nation (the Onondaga land is taken as the result of a dam project. Cayuga Nation files a claim for the return of 64,000 victory over England. first was built in 1850, but burned down). Students acres of land. June 28, 2005 1795 are taught in English-only classes. The Onondaga 1947-60 Second Circuit US Appeals Court overturns the Cayuga 1784 New York State “buys” rights to and language is prohibited. Children are sent to Board- The New York State Power Authority confiscates 550 1982 decision, nullifying an award of some $250 million Treaty of Fort Stanwix cedes Haudenosaunee land the land surrounding it. The state is in clear violation ing Schools in western New York and Pennsylvania. acres of Tuscarora land to build a hydroelectric dam The Ancient Indian Land Claims Settlement Act seeks to the Cayugas for loss of their land. The full court north of the Ohio River to the U.S. (Onondaga ter- of both the 1790 and 1793 Trade and Intercourse and reservoir. to resolve land claims by validating all prior land later chose not to review the divided decision of the ritory is not affected.) Six million acres of land are Acts. And like earlier treaties, these were negotiated 1898 transfers and allowing Indian nations to sue only for three judge panel. guaranteed to the Haudenosaunee. During treaty with factions of the nation who had no authority to New York State and its Museum engage in a carefully 1956-63 monetary damages. The bill dies in Congress. negotiations Haudenosaunee leaders were taken sell land. planned and executed pattern of taking as many Despite determined resistance by the Senecas, the August 2005 hostage. In a meeting to discuss ratification of the wampum belts and strings as they can from individual Kinzua Dam is built, flooding 9,000 acres of the Al- 1988 Onondaga Nation files amended Land Rights Action treaty in 1786, the treaty was rejected by the Six 1790-1822 Haudenosaunee citizens who do not have legany reservation, causing the relocation US Congress passes joint resolution (H.Con.Res. 331) on August 1, 2005 responding to court decisions in Nations government, which quickly began appealing New York State continues to purchase land from the authority to dispose of the of 130 families and many graves. “To acknowledge the contribution of the Con- Sherrill v. Oneida and an appeal of the Cayuga Land to the U.S. government for redress. This treaty fol- Onondaga without following the rules and regula- Confederacy’s cultural pat- federacy of Nations to the development of the United Claim. lowed an unsuccessful attempt by New York Governor tions set forth by the Federal government. By 1822 rimony. This is a further 1970 States Constitution and to reaffirm the continuing George Clinton to negotiate land purchases from the the Onondaga territory is reduced to its current size attempt to destroy the New York State places government-to-government relationship between August 2006 Haudenosaunee. of 7,300 acres Haudenosaunee a ban on eating fish Indian tribes and the United States established in NYS files a motion seeking the dismissal of the and its cultural from Onondaga the Constitution.” Onondaga Land Rights Action. They argue that the 1788 1799-1815 integrity. Lake. Onondagas have waited too long to go to court and New York State “buys” more than 96% of the Ononda- After negative influences affect the Haudenosaunee, 1992 that their action is “disruptive.” gas’ land (about 2 million acres) from the Onondaga a messenger, Handsome Lake (Seneca) travels to the 1922 1971 The United States government intervenes in the Nation. Onondaga territory is reduced to about 108 villages to remind the people of their ancient way of NYS Legisla- The Onon- Cayuga case, allowing it to move forward in court. September 2007 square miles, including a one-mile strip around life. This code of Handsome Lake, or “Gaiwiio,” is ture rejects dagas resist Following 30 years of work, the UN passes the Declara- Onondaga Lake. The “treaty” followed a private recited every fall within the Confederacy. the New New York 1994 tion on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, affirming effort to buy land and was made with Onondagas York State State’s ef- U.S. District Court Judge Neal McCurn rules that the the rights of indigenous peoples to self-government in without authority to negotiate for their people. New 1823 Indian forts to take Cayugas had a valid claim to their ancestral land. matters relating to their internal affairs and prohibit- York Governor George Clinton promised, “this tract Chief Justice John Marshall authors the opinion in Commis- Onondaga ing discrimination against them. The US is one of four is to remain with the Onondagoes (sic) forever. Our “Johnson v M’Intosh” that lays the foundaton to U.S. sion “Ever- Nation land 1998 countries voting against the declaration. people will know that they cannot get any Part of this property law and aboriginal land title as it pertains to ett” Report to widen Onondaga chiefs meet with Gov. George Pataki in October 2007 Tract and therefore will not attempt it.” the Doctrine of Christian Discovery. which con- Rt. 81. Nego- Albany to notify him that a land claim will be filed. cluded that the tiations in the The first oral arguments hearing is held on October 2000-2001 1789 1825 original six mil- longhouse lead 11, 2007 in the Onondaga Land Rights Action in After negotiations break down, the Cayuga claim be- Treaty of Fort Harmar renews peace and friendship opens. This increased access heightens lion acres of land to an agreement Federal District Court in Albany, NY. comes first to go to trial in federal court. In February, between U.S. and Six Nations. The Six Nations give up the financial incenve for taking Haudenosaunee land. guaranteed to the that limits the ex- a jury awarded the Cayugas $36.9 million for their January 2009 claim to lands west of modern day Buffalo, but are Haudenosaunee by the pansion and reasserts 1838 land and loss of use of that land. On October 2, 2001, The Onondaga Nation is officially recognized as a guaranteed lands east and north of there. 1784 Treaty of Fort Stanwix Onondaga sovereignty. New York State attempts to have all remaining Judge Neal McCurn added $211 million in interest to trustee of Onondaga Lake giving it a greater role in still belonged to them. The report Haudenosaunee removed to a territory west of Mis- the jury award. the lake cleanup. In particular regarding plans and 1790 was hidden from the public until 1971. 1972 Because President Washington is so concerned with souri. This effort is thwarted. Onondaga Nation School begins language implementation of restoration activities for the lake 2001 NY’s continued illegal taking of Haudenosaunee lands, 1923 and culture classes to teach students the Onondaga and the associated watershed. 1847 Onondaga Chief Sidney Hill is condoled (installed) and the trouble this caused, Congress enacts the Trade Cayuga Chief Deskaheh travels from Six Nations language after the community boycotts the local The Grand Council Fire is returned to Onondaga as Tadadaho (spiritual leader) of the the Haudeno- April 23, 2010 and Intercourse Act requiring federal involvement in Territory in Canada to Geneva, Switzerland to seek school system. Territory. The fire had been moved to Buffalo Creek saunee Confederacy. Onondaga Nation and its environmental team award- any negotiations involving native land and ratification assistance from the League of Nations for Canada’s by 1790 after being maintained at Onondaga for ed an EPA Region 2 Environmental Quality Awards. of treaties by the Senate. infringement on sovereignty. He is denied a formal 1974 hundreds of years. November 2003 Works in coalition with Partnership for Onondaga hearing but speaks to a large crowd at an event spon- U.S. Supreme Court decides that the Oneida Nation’s Onondaga students and adults convince the LaFayette Creek, Atlantic States Legal Foundation and Onondaga 1793 sored by the Mayor of Geneva. claim for lands which were lost through a violation New York State “takes” 79 square miles (50,560 1848 of the Trade and Intercourse Act should be heard in School District to fly the Haudenosaunee flag at the County Executive Joanie Mahoney to use green infra- Syracuse becomes a city. High School following years of persistent effort. acres) of the Onondaga territory. Onondagas believed 1924 federal court. structure rather than large, industrial sewage plants that they were leasing land to New York State, not in neighborhoods, to correct the combined sewer 1861 The U.S. enacts the American Indian Citizenship Act March 11, 2005 selling it. making all Natives born in the U.S. into U.S. citizens. 1977 overflow discharges into Onondaga Creek. The Hough Report. New York State sets up a com- The first Haudenosaunee Passports are issued and Onondaga Nation files historic Land Rights Action in mission to “Extinguish Title” of natives to their land The Haudenosaunee refuse the act, referring to the federal court seeking recognition of its aboriginal title July 2010 1794 Two Row Wampum as a binding agreement, as one a Haudenosaunee delegation travels to Switzerland in New York State. over some 4,000 square miles of land and calling for The Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse Team members, establishes peace between the government cannot imposes laws on the other and its using the passports. U.S. and Haudenosaunee, guarantees that the U.S. will environmental cleanup in the territory. using Haudenosaunee passports, are denied visas by 1887 people. Beginning with a letter to President Collidge not claim lands of the Oneida, Onondaga and Cayuga 1979 the British Consulate, preventing their participation General Allotment Act, passed by the U.S. Congress, on December 30, 1924, the Haudenosaunee consist- March 29, 2005 Nations and accepts the right of the Haudenosaunee to An agreement is signed between the Onondaga Nation in the 2010 World Lacrosse Championships held in breaks up the communal land base of most res- ently reject U.S. citizenship. “free use and enjoyment of their lands.” It re-affirms and Onondaga County Sheriffs Department affirming US Supreme Court (Sherrill v. Oneida) rules that the Manchester, England The team garnered world sup- ervation lands across the U.S. by subdividing the Oneida Nation cannot reassert sovereignty over land the nation-to-nation relationship. 1946 that the Sheriffs Department will recognize Onondaga port while waiting in NYC, including Secretary of State reservations into personally-owned tracts. But this act Sovereignty by not entering Nation territory without bought within its aboriginal territory. The first foot note Hillary Clinton, but were still denied travel. specifically exempts the Haudenosaunee. Following World War II, the Indian Claims Commis- in the decision referenced the racist “Doctrine of Dis- 1794 sion is established by Congress to redress past land permission of the Chiefs except in life-threatening Jay Treaty states that the Haudenosaunee have free situations. covery” (see 1452 listing above.) The decision, based frauds and treaties. on a number of mistaken assumptions, is a major, but continued on back