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Join us at the Skä•noñh Great Law of Peace Center for a community conversation grounded in the Deer Hide Agreement—an enduring symbol of Haudenosaunee diplomacy and responsibility. This program is part of Speaking of Revolution, a statewide series developed by Humanities New York as part of By the People: Conversations Beyond 250, a national initiative marking the 250th anniversary of American independence.Across New York, Speaking of Revolution invites communities to reflect on “revolution” not only as a historical event, but as an ongoing process of rupture, return, and renewal—moments of breaking, remembering, and rebuilding that continue to shape civic and cultural life. At Skä•noñh, this exploration takes shape through the Deer Hide Agreement and the relationships it carries forward.
At the center of the evening is the deer hide itself: a material expression of agreement, memory, and obligation. Created in the mid-20th century and still present on Onondaga land today, the deer hide reflects a set of relationships—between nations, between people and land, and across generations—that are not fixed in the past but continue to call for care and renewal. As both object and teaching, it offers a powerful way to consider what diplomacy requires, what responsibility endures, and how agreements live on.
The evening will begin with a brief reflection from Oren Lyons, Faithkeeper of the Onondaga Nation, whose leadership and teaching have helped carry Haudenosaunee traditions and principles across generations. From there, participants will be invited into a facilitated conversation, reflecting together on the deer hide and the ideas it holds.
There is no panel, no lecture, and no expectation of expertise—only an invitation to listen, reflect, and think together. Through shared inquiry, the conversation will explore how the principles embodied in the Deer Hide Agreement—diplomacy, responsibility, and renewal—continue to shape our understanding of community and civic life today.
By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 is a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils across the United States, its territories, and the District of Columbia in collaboration with local partners. Together, these programs explore 250 years of the nation’s cultural life and imagine its shared future. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage as a complement to the 2026 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.
Presented in partnership with Humanities New York, the state’s advocate for the public humanities. Since 1975, it has supported cultural organizations across all 62 counties. Today, HNY leads statewide programs that bring people together to reflect, question, and connect—using history, literature, and culture to strengthen civic life.
5:30 p.m. – Reception with Indigenous Foods
6:30 p.m. – Conversation begins
The program will be held at Skä•noñh Great Law of Peace Center at 6680 Onondaga Lake Pkwy.
Registration is required and limited.
Please register by contacting the Skä•noñh Great Law of Peace Center at (315) 453-6767 or [email protected].
This program is cosponsored by Liverpool Public Library, Onondaga Historical Association, the Skä•noñh Great Law of Peace Center, and Humanities New York.
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Event Venue
Skä•noñh Great Law of Peace Center, 6680 Onondaga Lake Pkwy, Liverpool, NY 13088, United States
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