Faithkeeper to Speak about Seventh Generation
Oren Lyons is an Onondaga Nationa Turtle Clan elder. (Photo courtesy of the Amerind Foundation Museum)
Oreon Lyons, an Onondaga Nationa Turtle Clan elder, will speak at the UA about leadership and reasons why decision makers must keep the next seven generations in mind.
The public has a rare opportunity to hear from Oren Lyons, an elder and Faithkeeper for the Turtle Clan of the Onondaga Nation, known internationlly for being an advocate for environmental preservation.
In fact, his daily work is about preservation. As a Faithkeeper, Lyons must keep the Onondaga's values, traditions and history alive. In this capacity, Lyons also handles foreign affairs and helps to resolve conflicts within the Turtle Clan.
He will speak at The University of Arizona this week during an event that is expected to draw a sizable crowd.
"He is very much sought after," said Sylvia Dawavendewa, the UA's American Indian Studies program facilitator.
Dawavendewa said Lyons speaks around the world at various engagements. "It's always been really hard to get him to come."
It was through a partnership between the Tucson Audubon Society and Amerind Foundation Museum of Dragoon in Arizona that the UA was able to schedule Lyons for a talk. To bring Lyons, the American Indian Studies program and anthropology department worked with the museum, which was already bringing him to Southern Arizona for a lecture.
A UA American Indian Studies class, "Asserting Sovereignty through Cultural Preservation," is hosting his April 17 lecture titled "Looking Toward the Seventh Generation."
Lyons, who is often referred to as a messenger between his people and the world, speaks about leadership and how their actions and decisions should be made with the next seven generations in mind.
Dawavendewa said Lyons will speak from the perspective of his people, who are part of the Iroquois.
"Their perspective is that whenever people make decisions, they should keep the next seven generations in mind," she said. "You need to think way down the road about how your dcision will impact your children, your children's children and so on."
A Syracuse University graduate, Lyons worked for 10 years in New York City before returning to his community and becoming a Faithkeeper. Now retired, he most recently served as distinguished service professor at the State University of New York at Buffalo and as director for the university's Native American studies department.
He is also a co-founder of Daybreak, a national newspaper focused on issues concerning the American Indian population, and is also a founding member of the Traditional Circle of Indian Elders and Youth, a spiritual circle that supports the preservation of ancient practices, traditional values and Native wisdom.
He will be applying the beliefs of his people to issues such as environmental policy, climate change and economics, Dawavendewa said.
et cetera
- What | Looking Toward the Seventh Generation
- When | April 17, 7 p.m.
- Where | Room 100 of the UA Social Sciences Building, 1145 E. South Campus Dr.
- Extra Info |
The lecture is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the presentation will begin at 7 p.m.
Jazz artist Mary Redhouse, who is a Dine' (Navajo) tribal member, will perform leading up to the start of the lecture and Tohono O'odham elder, Danny Lopez, has been invited to honor Oren Lyons with a traditional song at the beginning of the program. A reception will be held at the conclusion of the program.
- Contact Info
Sylvia Dawavendewa
American Indian Studies
520-626-9110
Carol Charnley
Amerind Foundation
520-586-3666