Witness to Injustice is a unique three-hour interactive group teaching tool. It uses participatory education to share the disturbing history of what Indigenous Peoples have experienced through colonization. The program seeks to foster truth, understanding, and respect between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in the part of the world now known as the United States; especially in the territory stewarded by people of the Onondaga Nation and other Haudenosaunee peoples. It was created in collaboration with KAIROS Canada. WTI programs are facilitated by a team of Haudenosaunee educators and non-Native allies. There are fees associated with hosting the program, but we work with people to make them affordable.
Check out this recent article about a WTI workshop in the Adirondacks.
Please consider hosting the Witness to Injustice Program. Occasionally, we organize the program ourselves, but more often, other groups invite us to present the program – universities, schools, faith communities, organizations, etc. Learn the specifics about hosting a WTI program here. Fill out the simple workshop request form here.
Interested in Hosting a Witness to Injustice Program?
Fill out the simple workshop request form here.
Questions or followup needed: WTI Email 315-472-5478
The Witness to Injustice Exercise
The Witness to Injustice Exercise is a unique three-hour interactive group teaching tool. It uses participatory education to share the disturbing history of what Indigenous Peoples have experienced through colonization. The program seeks to foster truth, understanding, and respect between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in the part of the world now known as the United States; especially in the territory stewarded by people of the Onondaga Nation and other Haudenosaunee peoples.
Through the use of meaningful quotes and blankets that represent part of Turtle Island (the Western Hemisphere), we explore this shared history that non-native people rarely learn in school or other settings. The Exercise helps participants deepen their understanding about the European colonization of Turtle Island, learning through the eyes of our Indigenous neighbors. It details the denial of Indigenous peoples’ nationhood throughout U.S. history up to the present time. After the Witness to Injustice Exercise, participants have the opportunity to share with the group what they learned, felt, etc., and, resources are shared by facilitators to help participants continue to learn more.
We hope this program stimulates deep discussion and reflection, and points the way toward ongoing steps to address the grievous wrongs which have been done to Indigenous Peoples. Join Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation (NOON) and Haudenosaunee facilitators as we participate in learning and dialogue through this exercise.
Witness to Injustice and Covid?
During the early days of the Covid Pandemic, NOON worked hard to develop a virtual version of the program (conducted on ZOOM), which seeks to offer as similar as possible an emotional and impactful learning experience. The ZOOM workshop has been well received. Workshops are currently offered either in-person or via Zoom.