Dick Case Post-Standard Columnist "It's the big hole over here," Duane Williams is saying. We walk to the edge of the big hole and look into it. The hole - Duane's word for the great canyon carved out of limestone vein - is just to the south of the Firekeeper's Diner on the Onondaga Indian Nation. We're there because Duane's grandfather, John Williams, and his pals … [Read more...] about Quarry diggers carved their legacy in stone
Snowsnake at ONS
The kids in the school were so excited. They were going to play Snowsnake with the men again. The men spent the weekend building the track for the kids so they could play on Monday. Every class was dressed warm and ready to try their best on the new track; some kids even brought their own mudcats from home. One of our accomplished players explained the rules to the kids … [Read more...] about Snowsnake at ONS
Skywoman
ONS has a new music teacher. Her name is Miss Wolfe. So this new teacher has new ideas and is willing to try new things. The winter concert has always been an event which would bring everyone out of their comfy homes into their cars and make their way to the school gym to hear the chorus and band play. This time however, Miss Wolfe and our Art teacher Mrs. Homer decided … [Read more...] about Skywoman
Community Give
One of the great traditions of the Onondaga Nation School is Community Give. It began in 1979 with an 8th grade class who wanted to do something for the elders in the community. So the class made homemade food and crafts and went to their elders homes to deliver them. It was such a success that more and more classes wanted to join in the fun. Now so many years later, it … [Read more...] about Community Give
Bake Sale
I know that the last two entries have been about food but... The Kindergarten class advertised a bake sale at ONS for Valentines Day. When the Kindergarten teacher at ONS does bake sales, they are usually quite a sweet tooth feast. Today was no exception. Brownies, cupcakes, cakes, candied pretzels, cookies of all kinds, fresh popcorn and so many other sweets that I … [Read more...] about Bake Sale
Onondaga faithkeeper Oren Lyons speaks out on the environment: ‘Business as usual is over’
by Tim Knauss, The Post-Standard Oren Lyons, faithkeeper of the Onondaga Nation, has traveled the world to speak out against environmental destruction and other wrongs committed in the name of "progress." It has been an uphill battle. But Lyons persists. He recently visited The Post-Standard and spoke at length with staffwriter Tim Knauss about the world's … [Read more...] about Onondaga faithkeeper Oren Lyons speaks out on the environment: ‘Business as usual is over’
Corn Soup Dinner
Thursday was a Corn Soup Dinner at the Cookhouse. Onehogwa' or "Corn Soup" has been served up by the Onondaga forever. It is made from "white corn" which is a type of corn that is only grown among the Haudenosaunee communities. It is so important to us that it is serve it during our ceremonies. So when an invitation is sent out that there is going to be a Corn Soup dinner, … [Read more...] about Corn Soup Dinner