Onondaga Nation's Long Battle for Lakeshore Land Near Syracuse

Fri Oct 17 2025 11:05:46 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Efforts to return sacred lakeshore land to the Onondaga Nation face hurdles amid pollution concerns and local politics, highlighting the historical significance of Onondaga Lake.

Local officials in Geddes, N.Y., are attempting to return lakeshore land to the Onondaga Nation, a tribe with deep historical ties to the area. After 14 years of negotiations, challenges related to taxes, lake pollution, and the controversial Columbus statue hinder the process. The Onondagas view the lake as a vital part of their heritage and continue to pursue reclamation despite the obstacles.

GEDDES, N.Y. (AP) — Before white settlers arrived, Onondaga Lake was a sacred place for the Onondaga Nation, a tribe that governed vast lands in upstate New York. Today, local officials aspire to return a portion of this land, reflecting its historical significance. However, after 14 years of stalled negotiations, multiple challenges persist, including tax issues, the lake’s cleanup, and the contentious presence of a Christopher Columbus statue in Syracuse.

“It’s not called Onondaga Lake for some arbitrary reason,” states nation member Betty Hill. “It belonged to us, and it's part of our history for thousands of years.” The Onondaga have sought to reclaim more land beyond their federally recognized territory, establishing the lakeshore land as a crucial target.

Sacred Lake, Tainted Lake

Onondaga Lake, once a pristine body of water, served as the site where the Peacemaker helped form the Iroquois Confederacy among warring nations. Yet, centuries of industrial pollution have scarred its waters, leading to ongoing clean-up challenges despite restoration efforts yielding some improvements. Chief Sid Hill emphasizes the lake’s enduring significance, noting, “We have ceremonies that need to be practiced on its shores.”

Though a 2011 nonbinding resolution aimed to return land near a shopping mall, it was deemed too polluted. Since then, progress has stagnated, further complicating the relationship between the county and the Onondaga Nation.

Goodbye, Columbus?

Some Onondaga representatives accuse county officials of introducing distractions, such as the statue of Columbus, whose role in colonialism is seen as oppressive by the tribe. They support the removal of the statue, which has become emblematic of their struggle for acknowledgment and social justice. In contrast, supporters of the statue argue for its cultural significance.

Amid these tensions, County Executive Ryan McMahon suggests the Onondagas should accept the statue issue as a bargaining point. This sentiment has been met with frustration from the Onondagas, who feel it undermines the seriousness of their claims to land.

An Elusive Deal

McMahon is also looking for tax payments on property recently reacquired by the Onondaga Nation and wants assurances against legal action regarding the lake’s pollution. Yet, Onondaga attorney Joe Heath argues they are not legally obligated to pay such taxes under the Treaty of Canandaigua. Meanwhile, Betty Hill insists the Onondaga Nation will persist in its quest for justice. “We’re not going anywhere,” she stated resolutely. “This is about gaining what was taken from our people and our confederacy.”