Frequently Asked
Questions & Concerns
(by friends of traditional Cayuga)



"Why is it so important to give Land Back?"



There is no possible way any of us could articulate or speak for the Cayuga on the immeasurable cultural and emotional significance to be reunited with the space where one of their thriving villages existed but was completely destroyed in an effort with the intention to decimate their existence.


But from an ally point of view, it is essential to give the Land Back because we understand that what happened was an act of genocide.


If you think that "genocide" is a little dramatic, please reflect on these direct orders from General Washington to General Sullivan:

"Sir: - The expedition you are appointed to command is to be directed against the hostile tribes of the Six Nations of Indians, with their associates and adherents. The immediate object is their total destruction and devastation, and the capture of as many persons of every age and sex as possible. It will be essential to ruin their crops now in the ground and prevent their planting more."

https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-20-02-0661


Please go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_American_genocide_in_the_United_States and scroll down to the Sullivan Expedition to read more.


"The immediate object is their total destruction and devastation" falls squarely within the United Nations definition of genocide.

https://www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/documents/Genocide%20Convention-FactSheet-ENG.pdf


Also, research is showing that the Sullivan Campaign is the FIRST offensive, violent act of destruction, against an entire group of people (aka genocide) that the United States government participated in. THE FIRST. Let that sink in as to how traumatic this campaign was, not only for the people it was directed towards, but also all citizens of New York and the United States who passionately desire our country to act in alignment with it's stated "values" of equality and freedom for all!!!


Returning the lands and finally addressing this intentional genocide with meaningful action to create space for healing, is the ONLY way for Wells College, Cayuga County and New York State to move forward with integrity and righteousness on the ship side of Two Row.



"What is the chance that New York State will actually give Land Back?"





If we don't join our voices together, the chance is NONE. Governor Hochul is pro development and without a major show of UNIFIED support on our ship side of Two Row, New York State will continue the status quo trends of colonization and exploitation of it's land "assets".


However, if we all sign the petition AND encourage 10-20 others to join us, we will be presenting a multi-community desire that can not be ignored!!!


The petition is simply a tool to amplify the Voice of the People on the ship side of Two Row, let's understand the power in this tool, and engage friends and family, co-workers and neighbors as to why this is important. We each have our own unique network of community, and it is up to all of us to generate 10-20,000 signatures of support!


We can do it!!


Sign now and SHARE!!



"What is all this 'ship side' references and Spirit of Two Row?"





The Spirit of Two Row refers to a covenant made between early European settlers, staying in their "ship", and Native Nations, staying in their "canoe", and peacefully co-existing without interfering.


Check out www.honorthetworow.org to learn more.


From our understanding of Two Row, the Wells Land Back petition falls within action that friends on the "ship" side can take in contacting our government representatives and advocating for our "ship" to begin to undo the colonialist framework. Because Two Row was broken long, long ago, and our "ship" side has been all over the "canoes" path for hundreds of years.


If anyone on the "ship" side has a different understanding of Two Row, we certainly know there is a wide berth of the "ship" to interpret. However, it is our understanding of Two Row, we, on the "ship" side can do ALOT: we can empower ourselves to write letters to our elected officials, sign petitions, raise awareness, talk with community members etc etc. We can do that all without the "approval" or "leadership" from native communities, because our voices matter to our government


We feel it is critical to BE TAKING ACTION on the "ship" side, so that our friends in the "canoe" can see that we care and are doing what we can to ensure our leaders re-align the path we are on.



What do you mean: "De-colonize my narrative"?





"De-colonize your Narrative" is one of those phrases that tends to trigger people.


But if we break it down, it's really quite simple and non-threatening. Let's look at it through the analogy of children's books.


A "narrative" is simply "a story", or a "spoken or written account of connected events". We all understand that the "narrator" is the one telling the story. In children's books, there exists the most diverse range of narrators and narratives. For the simple fact that children are encouraged to indulge in their imagination and love for all beings. So, stories are told of course about children, all different types of children, ages, races, genders, religions, abilities, but also, good children, naughty children, clever children, artsy children, day dreaming children etc. etc. But beyond a human narrative, children's books easily immerse us in narratives of animals, nature and other non-human, non-traditional points of view.


"De-colonize" simply is asking you to take the story, the narrative, that is your foundation for reality and open yourself up to the fact that your story, your narrative isn't the ONLY ONE that exists. That's all.


So just like children love to listen to all sorts of stories, a wide variety of narratives.


We as adults, would create a world with more justice and compassion, if we were open to listening to and embracing ALL people's stories and narratives of OUR collective history.



"Clint Halftown is the federally recognized leader of the Cayuga Nation,
we don't want the property falling under his control."





We agree. The wording in the petition:

Traditional Cayuga Council of Chiefs, the Ten Cayuga Clan Families of the Haudenosaunee (people of the longhouse) indicates our intention to return the land to the traditional leadership, which currently is NOT recognized by the BIA.


Additionally, Clint Halftown's federally recognized territory is within the boundaries of the original Cayuga Reservation, which Wells College is outside of.


A second petition has been created to join our voices together to petition the BIA to recognize the leader that is chosen in the manner of Cayuga governance. It is CRITICAL that we have massive support on BOTH these petitions.


The closing of Wells College gives us a stronger reason to unite in expressing our concern for the federally recognized leadership of Clint Halftown. An email will be sent out to everyone who has signed the Wells Land Back petition, notifying of the posting of the second petition.


Addressing these two issues in two separate petitions is important, because it is two different levels of government we appeal to.


If you are unaware of the depth of these concerns, please visit the information website

www.halftownmustgo.org


Or simply google the name to pull up the many news articles.




"If we give the land back to 'the indians' it'll turn to casinos and smoke shops. "





If this is a concern, please take a moment to reflect on why this is your gut reaction.

These stereotypes have been intentionally set up and reinforced to continue the racist and prejudice based fear which divides us.


And, yes, it is true that there are casinos and smoke shops on Native lands, but that is because these are the businesses OUR government allows. This is the stereotype the United State Government makes room for, similar to how following WWII, women were expected to return home and were severely limited in career opportunities to teacher / secretary / flight attendant etc.


It is our understanding that the traditional Cayuga have similar beliefs to the Onondaga (see below), regarding the fact that money, alcohol and weed are a violation of the Great Law of Peace due to their mind altering addictive qualities and therefore they do not support casinos or dispensaries.


https://www.onondaganation.org/aboutus/facts/


Consider that perhaps because the Cayuga people have been homeless for 250 years, that they feel especially desperate and culturally fractured and therefore willing to take whatever offers our Federal Government provides: which is to continue colonization and exploitation through the modern version of land-in-trust and multi-million dollar generating casinos.


This is why signing and supporting both petitions are so important to the overall wellbeing of all the people of Cayuga County.



"Do the Cayuga have 'rights' to Wells campus
since it is outside the boundary of the Cayuga East Reservation?"





The southern boundary of the Cayuga Reservation is Sherwood Road, on the north end of Aurora.

Wells College and Aurora are not within the original 64,015 acres of Reservation boundaries.


However, the Cayuga resided in a corridor that stretched from land in Canada to what is now Pennsylvania. Their territory included both sides of the length of Cayuga lake, including Ithaca.


The Sullivan Campaign of 1779, ordered by General Washington, was intentional in destroying all settlements within this corridor and pushing the people out. So, despite the fact that a reservation with boundaries was created in 1789, the Cayuga could claim their rights to any land in the entire territory, including Wells College.


The serendipitous timing of Wells College closing, however, is allowing this opportunity of voluntary land back, without any disruption or conflict, due to the college failing under it's own leadership.



"If we give Wells College Land Back, then they will want to start taking all the land.
I'm fearful of losing my home. "





We understand that the residents who lived in this region in the 1970s experienced a rightly terrifying time when land claims were threatening every property within the original boundaries of the Cayuga Reservation. And that because of these threats, banks were not even providing mortgages, fearful the assets were not secure.


This is a real fear that survives today, and exists as a challenge for us all coming together. Your fear is real and justified and we have empathy for that experience. But it's time to let that go and embrace actions of love.


Love is stronger than fear. Any day.


Our responses are:

* It is not the intention of the traditional Cayuga to take people's homes away.

* No property has EVER been forcibly seized by our government and given back. Not one.

* All properties owned by Cayuga Nation have been purchased over the years.

* The timing of the 1970s land claim was during the 200th anniversary of Sullivan's Campaign, demonstrating how this festering trauma will continue to surface as long as we don't voluntarily address it and heal together with meaningful solutions.



What about the buildings / 'improvements' of Wells College?
What would happen to the Medical Center & Peachtown Elementary?
Who would own it?
Who would be making decisions for it's future?
Who would pay for it's continued educational operation?





Regarding the Medical Center and Peachtown, it is our understanding that the traditional Cayuga would be fully supportive of saving those facilities. (Hopefully official statements will be coming out to hear directly their vision)


We can only speculate on the other details at the moment. One of the purposes of the petition is to gather enough support for this vision, to get the attention of AG Letitia James and other people in power, to then begin the process of working out these details.


Also, the more people that sign the petition, the more overall news attention it will receive, thus attracting individuals who have the skills, knowledge and experience needed for this unique situation.


What we are proposing does not exist in the entire world. Which is why it would be something that the Wells Community, Cayuga County, and New York State could be so proud of forging this path!


However, there are comparable situations that could be used as models.

Here is a link to what NPR reports is a "first of it's kind arrangement"

Northern California Tribe to Get Back 125 Acres of Ancestral Land Stolen During Gold Rush


One important aspect, is to not only have these discussions with the Cayuga at the table, but allow the Cayuga to be LEADING the vision. Otherwise, it continues to be settler narrative making decisions for native community, that they have to simply accept. And the whole point is to change that and let go of control.


Creativity can make anything happen, we simply have to be open to letting go of fears, not get hung up on specific details this early in the journey and trust the process!

Starts with supporting this petition.



What is your question? ? Please reach out and express your concerns!





There is a saying: you can not heal it, until you feel it.


So, please share whatever is on your mind.

We understand this vision goes to the heart of centuries old racism and feelings of our own identity and entitlement.


Overcoming this level of division is probably one of the biggest challenges humans could face, so do not be ashamed of your concerns and fears, please talk it out, we can transform this painful past together!


Reach out to wellslandback@gmail.com with any questions, concerns or suggestions!!



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