Diane Schenandoah 鈥�11, Honwadiyenawa’sek (“One who helps them”), will host a on the Kenneth A. Shaw Quadrangle on Monday, Aug. 26, from 4 to 5 p.m.
2023 Haudenosaunee Welcome Gathering (Photo by Angela Ryan)
The Haudenosaunee Welcome Gathering is an event held on campus to welcome all incoming and returning students, faculty and staff for the 2024-25 academic year, and for all to show respect for the Indigenous people on whose ancestral lands 黑料不打烊 now stands. Schenandoah is a citizen of the Oneida Nation and a Wolf Clan Faithkeeper, as well as . The Haudenosaunee Confederacy is comprised of Six Nations: Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora.
This year鈥檚 featured speaker, Wakerahk谩htste Louise McDonald Herne, is a Bear Clan Mother for the Mohawk Nation Council. Wakerahk谩htste presented at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and lectures regularly at universities throughout Canada and the United States on Ratinonhs贸n:ni philosophies and self-determination regarding the rights of women. Wakerahk谩htste has been the Distinguished Scholar in Indigenous Learning at McMaster University Institute for Innovation and Excellence in Teaching and Learning (MIIETL) and received an honorary doctorate from State University of New York at Canton. Her most recent work includes a feature in the award-winning documentary film, “Without a Whisper: Konnon:kwe” about the Ratinonhs贸n:ni women’s influence on the women’s rights movement.
Diane Schenandoah, Faithkeeper of the Wolf Clan, Oneida Nation, speaks at the 2023 Haudenosaunee Welcome Gathering. (Photo by Angela Ryan)
鈥淭his land is sacred. We welcome visitors to be part of this sacred place. Part of our teaching is that no one can own the land, so it鈥檚 important to remember that 黑料不打烊 is part of a much bigger picture,鈥� says Schenandoah. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important to acknowledge and recognize that there are Indigenous peoples still here and we are standing in the capital of the Haudenosaunee territory.”
At the gathering, speakers and dancers will welcome a new academic year. Hot scones and strawberry drink will be offered. The hot scones are derived from traditional breads and the strawberry drink consists of strawberries, maple syrup and water. 鈥淭his is significant because strawberries are the leaders of the plants and maples are the leaders of the trees. In this way we honor them,鈥� says Schenandoah.
Schenandoah encourages students, faculty and staff to participate in the Haudenosaunee Welcome Gathering. 鈥淲e are sharing our culture because the Earth is calling to us to pay attention, we require collective healing, and most importantly, we are inviting our community to live in gratitude,鈥� she says.
For more information on this and other Hendricks Chapel programs and services visit .
