Onondaga Communications
By Denise Waterman
In February, Chancellor Nancy Cantor was pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Richard R. Loder as Syracuse University Emissary to the Haudenosaunee. The Office of the Chancellor and President held a reception on Friday, February 13, 2009 at Crouse Hinds Hall.
A distinguished group of Onondaga Nation community members and residents came to Syracuse University to congratulate Dr. Richard Loder as the new Emissary to our people the Haudenosaunee. At the reception time was also devoted to thank Dr. David Smith, Vice President and past Emissary to the Haudenosaunee, for his dedication and diligent work on behalf of Onhgwehonhwe students at the University.
Dr. Loder is not an unfamiliar personality at Onondaga; he is known and called by many in the community as “Richard” or “Dick.” He began his early cordial relationship with the late Chief Ambrose Gibson and his family. In the late 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s Professor Loder taught sociology and other Native American related courses at Oswego State University. In the mid 1990’s Dr. Loder transitioned back to his alma mater Syracuse University where he has been the Director of the Native American Studies Program.
An opportunity arose to ask Dr. Loder what he felt the future would hold between the Haudenosaunee and its relationship with Syracuse University. Dr. Loder said, “The outstanding accomplishment over the past 5 years includes most notably the Haudenosaunee Promise Scholarship Program, the Onondaga Nation Land Rights Educational Series, and the Artic Journey Program. Looking to the future, we need to continue strengthening our historic relationship with the Haudenosaunee and engage in projects of mutual concern through respectful community collaborations. By working together we can continue “to polish the chain of friendship” by providing more opportunities to Haudenosaunee communities.