Haudenosaunee Welcome Gathering Invites Community to Honor Sacred Land

Chief Spencer Lyons and Diane Schenandoah, a member of the Oneida Nation, will host the Haudenosaunee Welcome Gathering on the Kenneth A. Shaw Quadrangle at Syracuse University on August 25, 2025, from 16:00 to 17:00. This gathering aims to welcome both incoming and returning students, faculty, and staff for the 2025-26 academic year while honoring the Indigenous peoples of the land.

The Haudenosaunee Confederacy consists of six nations: Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora. This year’s featured speaker, Chief Spencer Ohsgoñ:da’ Lyons, represents the Onondaga Hawk clan. He was appointed as Hoyane (chief) by his clan in 2019 and is an active member of the Onondaga Nation Council. Chief Lyons contributes to the Hodinoñhsyoñ:nih Environmental Task Force and collaborates with the Hodinoñhsyoñ:nih External Relations Committee. His life is steeped in the traditional practices of the Hodinoñhsyo:nih, which he incorporates into his daily activities such as gardening and fishing, while promoting these teachings within his community.

Schenandoah emphasizes the significance of the gathering, stating, “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.” She highlights the importance of acknowledging the ongoing presence of Indigenous peoples and recognizes the location as the capital of Haudenosaunee territory.

Celebrating Culture and Community

The Haudenosaunee Welcome Gathering will feature speakers and dancers, celebrating the beginning of the new academic year. Attendees will be treated to traditional hot scones and a strawberry drink. The scones are inspired by traditional breads, while the drink comprises strawberries, maple syrup, and water. Schenandoah notes the symbolic nature of these foods, stating, “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 encourages participation from students, faculty, and staff, inviting them to embrace the gathering’s cultural significance. “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 explains.

As Syracuse University prepares for the academic year, the Haudenosaunee Welcome Gathering serves as a vital reminder of the rich cultural heritage and ongoing presence of Indigenous communities in the region. For more information about this event and other programs at Hendricks Chapel, visit chapel.syracuse.edu.