Support Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ (Cayuga) Traditional People
Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ (Cayuga) traditional people and allies have launched a renewed fundraising effort to support the legal work to regain their sovereignty and rebuild their community in the homeland from which their ancestors were driven off over 200 years ago.
In accordance with the Nation’s governing processes and the Great Law of Peace, Clint Halftown has been removed from any representative role within the Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ (Cayuga) Nation. Unfortunately, the U.S. government’s continued recognition of Halftown as the Nation’s representative causes many problems. U.S. support of Halftown violates the Two Row Wampum, a treaty of non-interference between the Haudenosaunee nations (“the canoe”) and settlers (“the ship”) which instructs us to travel as neighbors down the river of life.
It’s time for the U.S. to honor Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ self-determination by heeding the Nation’s decision and ending its recognition of Halftown. The Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ Council of Chiefs, the governing body of the Nation, has put forth calls for help from people of the U.S. to hold our government accountable on this issue. The following is an update detailing the many challenges faced by the Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ people.
On November 13, 2023, the Halftown regime filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), demanding that DOJ meet with them to provide technical assistance for their law enforcement objectives, and asking a federal judge to issue a gag order barring the DOJ from acknowledging the ongoing “leadership dispute.” This filing represents yet another flagrant attempt to silence any acknowledgment of the ongoing struggle of traditional Gayogohó:nǫ˺ governance and community to wrest Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) “recognition” away from the clutches of Halftown and his regime. Gayogohó:nǫ˺ titleholders, community members, and their attorneys recently held a press conference to address this situation; watch that video here.
Previously, on March 29, 2023, the Department of Interior (DOI) approved the Halftown regime’s application to place 114 acres of land in Cayuga County into federal trust status. [See HalftownMustGo’s social media post to learn more about the decision – link here]. This is the latest in a growing line of DOI decisions that undermine Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ sovereignty and governance, and endanger the well-being of Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ citizens living in community around Cayuga Lake. To understand the full scope of the impact of DOI’s continued empowerment of Halftown by recognizing him as the Nation’s “federal representative”, it is helpful to consider the effects this recognition carries ‘on the ground’ in Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ territory around Cayuga Lake.
Trials continue in criminal cases brought by the Halftown regime against multiple Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ citizens, stemming from their resistance to Halftown’s violent spree of demolitions & kidnappings in Summer of 2022. Despite credible, ongoing challenges to the court’s legitimacy, the Halftown regime’s non-Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ, hired-gun prosecutors continue to press criminal charges under the Halftown regime’s newfound and ever-changing “Cayuga Nation Penal Code.” In Fall of 2023, the trial proceedings mysteriously shifted from the Halftown regime’s “court” on NY-Route 89 in Seneca Falls (Seneca County), to the Town Hall in Montezuma, in Cayuga County. Why the Halftown regime decided to move the proceedings remains as much a mystery as the Town of Montezuma’s reasoning for offering up its Town Hall building for the sham proceedings.
Meanwhile, Gayogohó:nǫ˺ governance and community-building efforts persist in the face of town (eg, Seneca Falls) and county (eg, Seneca County) misunderstandings (or willful negligence) of the federal recognition issue. Both Seneca Falls and Seneca County recently took actions that not only demonstrate this misunderstanding, but also exacerbate an already strained situation by excluding and burdening traditional Gayogohó:nǫ˺ community and governance.
For example, the Town of Seneca Falls recently released a Draft Comprehensive Town Plan in which they express intentions to improve relations with the Cayuga Nation. However, the town invited one of Clint’s highest ranking non-Gayogohó:nǫ˺ operatives (CFO Missy Barringer) to participate in the planning process, but did not even contact any traditional Gayogohó:nǫ˺ community members, Sachems or Clan Mothers.
Meanwhile, Seneca County recently released a joint statement along with the Halftown regime, expressing intentions to work collaboratively with the Nation on shared goals, and ushering in “a new era of cooperation and mutual respect” (see article from FingerLakes1.com). However, the County interacted exclusively with Halftown’s operatives, again excluding any traditional Gayogohó:nǫ˺ community members, Sachems or Clanmothers.
Spending time intervening in these sorts of situations drains energy and attention from all the good and important work that is happening in Gayogohó:nǫ˺ community. For example, Gayogohó:nǫ˺ community members revived an after-school language and daycare program, now held in a secure location, after Halftown demolished the last house used for these purposes. They continue to hold ceremonies in a new location after Halftown demolished the last site used for these purposes.
It should come as no surprise that traditional Gayogohó:nǫ˺ community and governance persist despite Halftown’s best efforts to silence and stymie them. After all, Halftown’s actions are merely the latest in a centuries-long onslaught of colonial violence and oppression, aimed especially at the traditional governing capacities and community building practices of Gayogohó:nǫ˺ people who refuse to accept the limited self-governance offered by the BIA — the same governance structure that Clint uses to run the Nation as a fascistic economic enterprise.
However, so long as the U.S. government (the BIA specifically) continues to empower Halftown as the Nation’s “federal representative,” Gayogohó:nǫ˺ governance and community-building efforts will continue to face threats from Halftown’s regime, as well as the burden of addressing local governmental actions which empower Halftown by exclusively collaborating with his regime. This is why renewed legal efforts to vacate BIA recognition of Halftown are so crucial – so that Gayogohó:nǫ˺ community and governance can thrive undeterred by Halftown’s violence and local governmental actions that ultimately serve to support his oppressive regime.
This update was assembled by a non-Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ organizer with the HalftownMustGo campaign.
Action Alert
The Tonawanda Seneca Nation, part of the Haudenosaunee, faces an existential threat from the WNY STAMP mega-industrial site. Since drilling began in July 2023, construction of the site’s wastewater pipeline has been an environmental disaster. Today, we demand that New York state officials take action to halt further environmental destruction in and around the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge and uphold Tonawanda Seneca Nation sovereignty. Let’s tell our government leaders that the NYSDEC must immediately withdraw the SPDES permit that currently allows WNY STAMP’s developer to commit ongoing egregious environmental harm.
WNY STAMP is on shaky ground. With not just one but two lawsuits and increasing negative press coverage, the momentum is turning against this catastrophic boondoggle – and in favor of Indigenous sovereignty and land justice. In order to make these visions a reality, the NYSDEC must pull the SPDES permit. Take action today! Click here for all the details.
Upcoming Events:
Gathering to Support the Gayogohó:nǫ˺ Legal Defense Fund
February 4th, 2:30-5:30 pm. Foundation of Light, 391 Turkey Hill Road, Ithaca NY
Please come out to support racial justice and equity for the original people of this land. This event will be a celebration of the cultural beauty, peace and generosity of the traditional Gayogo̱hónǫɁ (Cayuga) people. There will be traditional Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫɁ (Cayuga) food, merchandise, vendors, activities for kids, speakers, storytellers, social dancing, and more! All proceeds will go support the legal team defending Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫɁ (Cayuga) traditionalists and their ongoing struggle for sovereignty and rematriation. Suggested minimum donation at the door $15-25. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. More info/to Donate
Native American Winter Games
Saturday, February 17, 10 am – 4 pm. Ganondagan, 7000 County Road 41 (Boughton Hill Road) Victor, NY 14564
During the long harsh winters, the Seneca nestled in their bark longhouses to repair clothing, make tools and prepare for the spring. Despite the winter weather, Senecas remained active throughout the season. Many of the winter activities that traditionally occupied them outdoors are still in practice today.
Check out Ganondagan’s Native American Winter Games as a way to celebrate and discover the Seneca ways of winter through traditional Native American activities! Free and Open to the public: Suggested donation $5/person, $10/ family. Event will take place with or without snow. Ganondagan State Historic Site, 7000 County Road 41 (Boughton Hill Road) Victor, NY 14564
Monthly Events:
NOON Steering Committee Open Meeting. Next meeting Tuesday, February 20, 7-8:30 PM. Please contact Lee Cridland, Peace Council Staff, for more info.
Indigenous News:
Remembering Klee Benally, Dine environmental justice activist and organizer
IndigiPolitics: 2023 a year of twists and turns
IndigiPolitics: A look ahead to 2024
The Remains of Thousands of Native Americans Were Returned to Tribes This Year
In a Major Shift, Northwest Tribes — not U.S. Officials — Will Control Salmon Recovery Funds
Resources:
Infographic on Lenni-Lenape traditional territory
Places to Visit:
Skä•noñh – Great Law of Peace Center, 6680 Onondaga Lake Pkwy. Liverpool, NY 13088. Skä•noñh is a Haudenosaunee Cultural Center focused on telling the story of the native peoples of central New York. Now open from 10am-4pm Wednesday-Friday, and 11am-4pm on Saturday.
Ganondagan State Historic Site, 7000 County Road 41 (Boughton Hill Road) Victor, NY 14564. Bark Longhouse open May-October.
Seneca Iroquois National Museum, 82 W Hetzel St. Salamanca, NY 14779.
Iroquois Museum, 324 Caverns Road. Howes Cave, NY 12092.
Kanatsiohareke Mohawk Community, 4934 State Highway 5. Fonda, NY.
About Us:
Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation (NOON) is a grassroots organization of Central New Yorkers which recognizes and supports the sovereignty of the traditional government of the Onondaga Nation. A program of the Syracuse Peace Council, NOON supports the right of Indigenous Peoples to reclaim land, and advocates for fair settlement of any claims which are filed. We are always looking for more folks to join our work in Central New York. Learn more here.
NOON works on the territory of the Onondaga Nation,
Firekeepers of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.
We express our deep gratitude to the Onondaga Nation for caring for these lands, waters, and all our fellow beings since time immemorial.
We offer heartfelt apologies for the terrible violence that colonizers have carried out against the Onondaga People and Nation, including theft of land and attempted genocide. We are thankful for their perseverance and survival. We commit ourselves to working in solidarity with the Onondaga Nation to protect their sovereignty and create a shared, sustainable future for all life.
