Two Row Action Step and Upcoming Events

Scroll down for events listing…
Last week on a news program, New York Senator Chuck Schumer said that there is widespread support for fracking, saying that most Democrats support it (which is wrong, according to polls) and “it’s worked quite well.” He also said if it is done carefully he “sure would” like to see fracking in New York. http://bit.ly/1ij3HGR

Senator Gillibrand, who expressed support for the Two Row Wampum Renewal Campaign last year, had a spokesman respond to Schumer that Gillibrand believes fracking is a “tremendous economic opportunity for New York,” but that it “can not come at the expense of clean air and safe drinking water for all New Yorkers.” Instead of supporting a ban on fracking and honoring native treaties, Gillibrand thinks “we must have strong controls and safeguards in place coupled with full transparency… before any drilling moves forward”. http://press.sn/1kMklA6

For a Senator to support the Two Row Wampum Renewal Campaign and support fracking is hypocrisy. The Two Row Wampum is the grandfather of treaties… it states that settler people and the Haudenosaunee in what is now known as New York State shall live together side by side, respecting each others ways in peace, friendship and forever. We cannot live side by side in peace and friendship forever if we allow our representatives to speak for us in this manner or if we allow New York to make a
decision allowing fracking in New York State.

We ask those of you who are part of the US political system to call both Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand reminding them of their obligation to honor treaties which necessarily includes a ban on fracking.

It is up to those of us who are citizens of New York to demand this of our representatives. Please contact the office closest to you of both senators reminding them of their obligations to pay attention to their constituents and to honor treaties with Native
Nations.

To contact Senator Kristen Gillibrand, please visit http://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/contact/ to submit an electronic comment.
To call Senator Gillibrand, please scroll to the bottom of this page to find an office near you.

To contact Senator Schumer, please visit http://www.schumer.senate.gov/Contact/office_locations.htm and call the nearest office.

May 18, 2014: GUSWENTA: RENEWING THE TWO ROW WAMPUM  Film Showing in the Rochester Museum and Science Center 3pm-4pm (657 East Avenue, Rochester NY) Onondaga Clanmother Freida Jacques will speak after the film along with Jack Spula, a Rochester resident, community activist and journalist who paddled from Albany to New York City. https://www.facebook.com/events/1391270081157862/

May 22, Tell Governor Cuomo No Fracking at the Democratic Convention on Long Island
10:00 am – noon, Hilton Long Island/Huntington Hotel, 598 Broad Hollow Road, MelvilThis is a very important day for us to demand a ban on fracking, so we need all hands on deck. Buses from the Hudson Valley, Rockland and Westchester Counties, and Manhattan.
For full details or to register for a bus, see: http://nyagainstfracking.org/rally-to-ban-fracking-at-democratic-state-convention-long-island/

May 24-25, 2014 Doctrine of Christian Discovery: After Repudiation, What Next?
Skä noñh–Great Law of Peace Center, Syracuse, NY
A conference for people who have worked on addressing and repudiating this doctrine so that we might learn from each other, and develop strategies for moving forward with this work.  How can we use the momentum from repudiation to change the colonial paradigms that drive decisions in our settler-immigrant based society? What are core issues that will benefit from alliances between Indigenous Peoples and Faith-Based Communities? What have we learned about people and what impacts their understanding of this foundational religious problem?
Sponsors:  Onondaga Nation Council of Chiefs, Skä noñh–Great Law of Peace Center, Doctrine of Discovery Study Group, Neighbors of Onondaga Nation, and others.
$30 Registration Fee includes meals during the conference.

June 2, 1-3 PM,Good Friends Gardeners Educational Presentation about gardening in our bio-region
Onondaga Nation Cookhouse. It is open to the general public and anyone interested in helping with the garden. This event will immediately follow their 3rd Annual Seed and Plant Giveaway for residents of the Onondaga Nation, another of their projects. If you’d like to help, contact Cindy Squillace, at 315-415-5508 for ride sharing or directions.
June 19-22, 2014: World Peace and Prayer Day (Bowdoin Park, Wappingers Fall, NY) A weekend to honor sacred sites, all nations and faiths. There will be a sacred fire ceremony, guest speakers and performances demonstrations and lectures on primitive skills, wellness, permaculture and sustainability. For more information, you can visit their website at www.worldpeaceandprayerday.com

June 21, 1-3 PM, Roots of Injustice, Seeds of Change Workshop, Skänoñh – Great Law of Peace Center, (former site of St Marie Among the Iroquois). Paula Palmer from the Boulder Friends Meeting will be presenting an experiential workshop to help allies of native peoples work towards right relations with America’s native peoples. $10-$30 suggested donation at the door. Reservations required. Please contact Gail Bundy at or 607-423-0503.

June 21-22, 2014: Gathering at the Heart of Niagara 10am-6pm (Goat Island, Niagara Falls, New York) Two days of music, dancing, drumming and presentations. Free admission.

June 28-29, 2014: Kanatsiohareke Mohawk Community Strawberry Festival 10am-6pm (4934 State Highway #5, Fonda, NY) A weekend of Mohawk culture and fun! Come out for traditional and contemporary arts and crafts, music, dance, storytelling and food. Admission: Adults $5.00, Seniors & Children under 12 $3.00, Children under 5 free. https://www.facebook.com/events/830793500284035/

If there are any events that we missed or if you have any questions, you can reach us at (315) 701-1592.

The Two Row Wampum Renewal Campaign is a partnership between the Onondaga Nation and Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation (NOON), developing a broad alliance between the Haudenosaunee and their allies in New York and throughout the world. Our 2013 statewide advocacy and educational campaign seeks to achieve justice by polishing the chain of friendship established in the first treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Dutch immigrants. Environmental cleanup and preservation are the core components of our campaign.