Who Are the Onondaga?
The Onondaga (Onöñda'gega', meaning "People of the Hills") are the central nation of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, located in present-day central New York State near Syracuse. Numbering approximately 2,000-3,000, most live on the Onondaga Nation territory south of Syracuse—one of the few indigenous communities in the eastern United States that never accepted a treaty reserving their land, maintaining it instead as sovereign territory. They speak Onondaga, a Northern Iroquoian language now critically endangered. As "Keepers of the Central Fire" and "Wampum Keepers," the Onondaga hold unique ceremonial and political responsibilities within the confederacy, hosting Grand Council meetings at their capital since the confederacy's founding.
Central Fire and Wampum
The Onondaga occupy the central position in the Haudenosaunee "longhouse"—geographically, politically, and ceremonially. The confederacy's council fire burns symbolically at Onondaga; Grand Council meetings are held there. The Tadodaho, the confederacy's presiding chief, is always Onondaga. The Onondaga also serve as Wampum Keepers—custodians of the wampum belts that record treaties, laws, and historical events. Wampum (shell beads woven into belts with symbolic designs) served as the confederacy's constitutional documents and diplomatic instruments. The Hiawatha Belt, depicting the five original nations united, is among the most sacred objects. This central responsibility gives Onondaga unique authority and obligation within confederacy governance.
Sovereignty and Land
The Onondaga Nation maintains perhaps the most absolute sovereignty claim of any indigenous nation in the eastern United States. Unlike most eastern nations, the Onondaga never signed a treaty establishing a "reservation"—their territory is sovereign land held since time immemorial. The Nation does not accept federal jurisdiction, does not participate in state or federal elections, and issues its own passports (which have caused international travel difficulties). In 2005, the Onondaga filed a land rights action—notably not seeking monetary damages or eviction of current residents, but acknowledgment of aboriginal title and cleanup of environmental contamination. The Onondaga Lake, sacred to the nation, was severely polluted by industrial waste; cleanup efforts continue. This principled approach to land rights—seeking healing rather than compensation—reflects traditional values.
Contemporary Onondaga
Modern Onondaga maintain traditional governance exclusively—they have no elected tribal council, only traditional chiefs (Hoyaneh) selected by clan mothers according to ancient protocol. This makes them unusual among US indigenous nations. The Tadodaho continues to preside over Grand Council. The Onondaga have actively engaged environmental and indigenous rights issues internationally, speaking at the United Nations and hosting delegations from indigenous peoples worldwide. Chief Oren Lyons has been a prominent voice for indigenous rights globally. The lacrosse (Dehuntshigwa'es—"men hit a rounded object") tradition is strong; the Onondaga/Haudenosaunee invented the game, and the Iroquois Nationals compete internationally. The Onondaga language is critically endangered, with perhaps only 50-100 elderly fluent speakers remaining despite revitalization efforts. The Onondaga represent the possibility of maintaining traditional governance and uncompromised sovereignty in the 21st century.
References
- Tooker, E. (1978). The League of the Iroquois: Its History, Politics, and Ritual
- Venables, R. W. (2004). American Indian History: Five Centuries of Conflict and Coexistence
- Hauptman, L. M. (1999). Conspiracy of Interests: Iroquois Dispossession and the Rise of New York State