Celebrating Connections: Honoring the Onondaga Nation at Le Moyne
This November, in honor of Native American History Month, Le Moyne College dedicated a new commemorative wall on the second floor of Reilly Hall to celebrate the Onondaga Nation, the original people on whose land Le Moyne stands.
More than Just Art
The display is a heartfelt tribute to the deep connection between our Ignatian values, the natural world, and the rich connection with the Onondaga Nation and the broader Haudenosaunee Confederacy.
At the heart of the display is a bold image of the Haudenosaunee flag, easily visible from outside the building. Surrounding it are photos of students learning about and caring for the earth, as well as the shared moments of connection between members of the Onondaga Nation and the Le Moyne community.
The dedication featured two leaders of the Onondaga Nation. Freida Jacques, Onondaga Clan Mother (Turtle Clan) and Le Moyne’s 2024 Commencement Speaker, shared her wisdom and reflections. Sidney Hill, the Tadadaho (chief who presides over the Grand Council) of the Iroquois League, delivered the Ganoñhéñ•nyoñ’, or Thanksgiving Address. This traditional address, spoken at gatherings for countless generations, expresses gratitude for all aspects of creation—a reminder of our interconnectedness with the earth and each other.
This wall stands as a lasting symbol of our shared commitment to honoring the Onondaga Nation, caring for our common home (as Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ asks), and building meaningful relationships with our Onondaga Nation neighbors and the broader Haudenosaunee Confederacy rooted in respect and gratitude.
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