Phyllis Farmer passed onto Creator’s Land earlier this month. She was 91. Auntie Phil was the last of the surviving children of Cecelia and Chief Irving Powless Sr. She was a wonderful, kind soul who loved to laugh and help others. Her favorite color was purple and she made a mouth-watering rice pudding at all family get-togethers. Often when you would run into her, she would … [Read more...] about Phyllis Farmer
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Student Handbook
After a career of teaching, you can acquire quite a lot of papers, notebooks, folders and pamphlets of stuff. As I began to unpack a box of memories from my time teaching at the Onondaga Nation School, I came across a yellowing aged pamphlet. It was a student handbook labeled “Onondaga Indian School Student Handbook”. A smile came across my face as I read about the … [Read more...] about Student Handbook
Solar Eclipse of 2024
On April 8, 2024 a solar eclipse is expected to cross the lands of the Haudenosaunee. This is an important reminder of the beginning of the Haudenosauneee and the creation of oldest democratic government, Gaya•neñ•hsä•’gó•nah, The Great Law of Peace, on Turtle Island. Long ago, it was a dark time for the people as we forgot the ways the Creator gave us. We replaced our … [Read more...] about Solar Eclipse of 2024
Lacrosse and Sovereignty
This summer, the World Games Committee announced the teams to play in Birmingham, Alabama in 2022. The Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Nationals were suspiciously absent. Players/leaders such as Lyle Thompson and Cody Jamieson have eloquently stated why the Nationals should be included. Their actions and words initiated a movement that has ignited other organizations to rethink why … [Read more...] about Lacrosse and Sovereignty
Ogweñ•yó’da’ déñ’se’ Hanadagá•yas: The Cicada and George Washington
May 14, 2018 By Dehowähda•dih The Ogweñ•yó’da’ (or cicada) is expected to return to the Onondaga Nation this summer. The people of the nation long have enjoyed the Ogweñ•yó’da’ as a great snack. As a youth, I would be given a paper bag to head out in the morning to “go picking” for a snack. My brother even took a large bag of cooked cicada to Ceremonies to share with … [Read more...] about Ogweñ•yó’da’ déñ’se’ Hanadagá•yas: The Cicada and George Washington
Chief Irving Powless Jr
Chief Irving Powless Jr., Daha'tgatdohs, Beaver Clan Chief, 88 years old of the Onondaga Nation died Thursday, November 30, 2017. He was born in Syracuse, the son of Chief Irving Powless Sr. and Cecelia (Tarbell) Powless who were active members of the Onondaga Nation. A member of the Onondaga Nation Council, Chief Powless (Jr.), established an enduring legacy for his … [Read more...] about Chief Irving Powless Jr
The Choctaw fight over self-determination & the Onondaga’s decision to remain ‘Traditional’
The Onondaga Nation and democratic governance have been synonymous for centuries. On the shores of our sacred Onondaga Lake, the Peacemaker united five warring peoples by giving us a system of governance based on using the Good Mind to make decisions for the coming 7 … [Read more...] about The Choctaw fight over self-determination & the Onondaga’s decision to remain ‘Traditional’