Our Acknowledgment
SUNY Morrisville respectfully acknowledges that the land on which both the main campus and the Norwich campus are situated on is the unceded and ancestral land of the Oneida Indian Nation, known as the Onyota’aika (own yote da ah gah) or the People of the Standing Stone. We recognize the Oneida Indian Nation as America’s first allies. The Oneida People were one of the founding people of the Haudenosaunee (Ho-dee-noh-show-nee) Confederacy, the People of the Longhouse. This confederacy is made up of the Cayuga, Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Seneca, and Tuscarora nations. We honor the Oneida People's resilience in the past, present and future. We commit to correcting injustice and to fostering an environment of respect, equity, and inclusion as we learn from their history and ongoing contributions. Let this acknowledgment inspire us to deepen our understanding of the history and culture of the Haudenosaunee diaspora and to support efforts toward reconciliation and justice for the seventh generation and beyond.
The Land Acknowledgment Working Group is developing a commitment statement that signifies and focuses on a desire for an ongoing connection with the people of the Oneida Indian Nation. We will be seeking campus input as we move forward together. The Working Group is thankful for the guidance of members of the Oneida Indian Nation with the Land Acknowledgement and the Commitment Statement.
Why We have a land acknowledgement
It is important that we cultivate an understanding of the history that accompanies the land upon which our campus is built. SUNY Morrisville seeks to recognize and respect to the indigenous people who call the land home.
When should we use the acknowledgement?
We should use the Land Acknowledgement when we gather together as a community at events such as Commencement, Convocation, and/or conferences. Any member of our college community may use it when deemed appropriate.