75 Years of NYS Jurisdiction over the Haudenosaunee: When Will It End?

For 400 years, the Haudenosaunee (Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy) have interacted with New York officials over matters of war and peace, trade and commerce, and confiscation of Haudenosaunee lands and wealth. Throughout this long period, New York officials have regularly violated their own laws, Royal proclamations, and American laws including treaties and agreements with the Haudenosaunee nations. Too often, American officials have allowed these transgressions in violation of its own treaty obligations to the Haudenosaunee. Following the taking of most Haudenosaunee lands in the early 19th century, State officials continued to assert jurisdiction and control over remaining Haudenosaunee territories and people. In 1948, at the height of the federal Indian Termination Era, the State pursued and succeeded in having the American government grant it complete criminal jurisdiction and police power over Haudenosaunee lands and people through the enactment of 25 U.S.C. §232. New York criminal jurisdiction is a colonial government intrusion into Haudenosaunee sovereignty that should be remedied, and yet today Haudenosaunee people have a fundamental human right to public safety in their homes that must be respected. This mini-conference is intended to begin the discussion of how best to address public safety challenges within Haudenosaunee nations and whether changes in the law should occur to allow for greater recognition of tribal sovereignty and protection of Haudenosaunee people.

This event is convened by Robert Odawi Porter, Visiting Professor at Cornell Law School and former President of the Seneca Nation. This event is co-sponsored by the American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program; all questions regarding the event should be directed to Robert Odawi Porter and the Cornell Law School. Speakers will include representatives of Haudenosaunee governments and legal scholars, including the Onondaga Nation Council of Chiefs, Hon. Carrie Garrow (Mohawk), Chief Judge of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, Hon. J.C. Seneca (Seneca), Councillor of the Seneca Nation of Indians, Andrew J. Rozler (Seneca), Sergeant (Ret.), Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Department, and Steven P. McSloy, former General Counsel of the Oneida Indian Nation.

The Conference is both live and online. All participants are requested to register here.

The Zoom link to the Conference is located here.