On Wednesday August 4, 2021 Chancellor Kent Syverud led a delegation which included Rev. Brian E. Konkol, Dean of Hendricks Chapel and Jeff Stoecker Chief Communications officer, to rekindle our relationship between the Onondaga Nation and Syracuse University.
Chancellor Syverud shared with the Onondaga Council the status of many factors the University has faced since his last visit.
One of which is the Haudenosaunee Promise. The “Promise” which began in 2006 under Chancellor Cantor, which began as a way to promote friendship and collaboration between the University and the Haudenosaunee is flourishing. Over 100 students have used the Promise to help earn their degree and just as importantly, help mold Syracuse University with Haudenosaunee values. The Chancellor stated that the Promise is an integral part of the University.
Chancellor Syverud announced changes to Oren Lyons Hall. The residence hall just has a small sign. That will change. There will be increased signage and information teaching all that reside there about the Haudenosaunee. The Haudenosaunee gathering room on Euclid Avenue also received a welcome renovation, including a kitchen!
Chancellor Syverud also shared that there will be more information about the Onondaga statue near the Carrier Dome. Tadodaho Sid Hill and elder Sam Babcock provided interviews for the University to provide history of the statue.
Rev. Brian E. Konko then shared an important development on the Syracuse Quad. On the Quad, there will be a new interactive art piece created by Bradon Lazore. This project will be completed in the fall and Rev. Konko extended an invitation to attend its unveiling. The Three Sisters’ garden opening this spring was so well attended that Rev. Konko would expect a similar excitement.
In closing, Chancellor Syverud recalled the first meeting with the Onondaga Council. The words of Oren Lyons about taking care of Mother Earth and the sharing of the Thanksgiving Address reiterate the need for the University to take environmental matters seriously, especially during a pandemic. That coming here, to the Longhouse, connects us deeply together.
To close our meeting together, Clan Mother Wendy Gonyea presented our guests with a sweetgrass basket and an open invitation to return to the Nation.