10/11/2024
The following message was sent to the campus community on behalf of President Erik J. Bitterbaum
Dear campus community members,
Monday, Oct. 14, marks the celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day, a holiday that the university has observed since 2018 to reflect on the legacy and sovereignty of the indigenous people of North America.
Their historic and continued contributions to our culture cover art and music, conservation and stewardship, athletics, service and much more. The Haudenosaunee, who lived in this area of the world for many centuries before European colonialism, were the creators of the oldest form of participatory democracy, around 1142 A.D. Many of the keystones of our form of government were shaped and inspired by the Haudenosaunee’s methods and principles.
This is why, at many formal events, SUNY Cortland acknowledges the land on which our campus now stands. Our land acknowledgement provides an opportunity to recognize members of the Onondaga Nation, the central firekeepers of the six-nation Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and thank them for their historical and continued stewardship.
While classes are in session Monday and Fall Open House takes place, please remember that many offices across campus are closed because of the holiday. I hope you will spend time during the next several days to remember the significant contributions of indigenous people throughout American history.
All the best,
Erik J. Bitterbaum
President