Syracuse.com – Sarah Buckshot
ONONDAGA NATION — Leaders of the Onondaga Nation lead a fight in the 1970s to have indigenous issues addressed at the United Nations.
History was made in 1977 when the first delegation of Native American leaders went to a U.N. meeting in Geneva, Switzerland and again in 2002 when the first meeting of Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues was held in New York City.
The Permanent Forum meets for two weeks annually to discuss indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights.
This year, the 18th annual forum, also marked a historic milestone as Onondaga Nation youth were invited for the first time to sing at the opening of the forum on April 22.
Adrianna, 7, said she was “so happy to sing” and Jonah, 11, said he was “excited, but also nervous” to perform in front of so many people. Gia, 7, said she “felt great” and Vayde, 3, said she loved seeing “all the people.”
Kaidence, 11, said she was proud to be able to represent her community at the United Nations.
“I liked being there because they were there to talk about indigenous issues,” she said.
The children were told about the history of Onondaga Nation with the United Nations before the trip to NYC.
“It meant a lot for us to go,” said Sophia, 13. “Because they wouldn’t let us be there before.”
The children are part of an Onondaga Nation community group called Sjisäwishék, which means “keeping the fire strong.” There are 13 children in the group and they range from 3 to 14 years old. The group meets on Saturdays to celebrate their culture by cooking traditional foods, speaking the Onondaga language, making crafts and having fun.
The group was started by a group of women, Suellen Edwards, Priscilla Cronin, Renee Pierce and Kristyn Piece, to get children more exposed to and aware of to their Haudenosaunee culture.
“The group also builds a platform for them to be heard because they deserve and they need to be heard,” Edwards said. “They’re part of our next seven generations.”