Diane Schenandoah, a citizen of the Oneida Nation and Wolf Clan Faithkeeper, will host the Haudenosaunee Welcome Gathering at Syracuse University’s Kenneth A. Shaw Quadrangle on Monday, August 25, from 4 to 5 p.m. The event is organized to welcome students, faculty, and staff for the 2025-26 academic year and to recognize the Indigenous people whose ancestral lands include the university campus.
The Haudenosaunee Confederacy consists of six nations: Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora. This year’s featured speaker is Chief Spencer Ohsgoñ:da’ Lyons. Chief Lyons was born into the Onondaga Hawk clan and chosen by his clan as Hoyane (chief) in 2019. He serves on the Onondaga Nation Council and works with both the Hodinoñhsyoñ:nih Environmental Task Force and External Relations Committee.
Chief Lyons has lived according to traditional teachings through activities such as gardening, hunting, fishing, and gathering using both modern and traditional methods. He supports these practices within his community while encouraging respect for the Great Law of Peace.
Schenandoah emphasized the significance of recognizing Indigenous presence on campus. “This land is sacred. We welcome visitors to be part of this sacred place. Part of our teaching is that no one can own the land, so it’s important to remember that Syracuse University is part of a much bigger picture,” says Schenandoah. “It’s important to acknowledge and recognize that there are Indigenous peoples still here and we are standing in the capital of the Haudenosaunee territory.”
The gathering will feature speakers and dancers marking the start of a new academic year. Attendees will be offered hot scones—derived from traditional breads—and strawberry drink made with strawberries, maple syrup, and water. Schenandoah explained their meaning: “This is significant because strawberries are the leaders of the plants and maples are the leaders of the trees. In this way we honor them.”
Schenandoah invited participation from across campus: “We are sharing our culture because the Earth is calling to us to pay attention, we require collective healing, and most importantly, we are inviting our community to live in gratitude,” she says.
Further details about this event or other Hendricks Chapel programs can be found at https://chapel.syracuse.edu/.
