Historic Return of Land to the Onondaga Nation

A Landmark Announcement

The return of over 1,000 acres of ancestral land in Central New York’s Tully Valley to the Onondaga Nation has been finalized. This title transfer marks one of the largest returns of land to an Indigenous Nation by any state, fulfilling a critical aspect of the Onondaga Lake Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Program settlement.

Restoring Ancestral Connections

The significance of the Onondaga Creek headwaters to the Nation is profound. Establishing this preserve represents a remarkable collaboration to restore access to ancestral lands and waters, marking a historic milestone in New York’s ongoing recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ cultural and environmental heritage.

A Step Forward for Indigenous Rights

The return of this land is seen as an important step for the Onondaga Nation and the broader Indigenous land back movement across the United States. The headwaters of Onondaga Creek have historically sustained the Nation, making their restoration vital.

Collaborative Efforts

This historic transfer is part of a resolution directed at restoring environmental resources impacted by industrial contamination. The collaboration underscores the importance of returning resource-rich land to its rightful caretakers.

Stewardship and Restoration

The Onondaga Nation will now protect and restore the South Forest Nature Preserve and North Forest Nature Preserve, which include wetlands and forested areas home to diverse wildlife. The Nation plans to apply Indigenous knowledge alongside scientific practices for the stewardship of this land, promoting healing and ecological restoration.

This significant return of land not only reinforces the Onondaga Nation’s rights but also symbolizes a broader movement toward reconciliation and healing for Indigenous communities across the United States.