Press Release
April 28, 1997
Syracuse, New York

On Saturday morning, at 10:45 am, April 26, 1997, a large number of SixNations People from Seneca, Tuscarora, Mohawk, and Onondaga Nations werelocked out of the Onondaga Longhouse. Double padlocks were fastened tothe Onondaga Longhouse door. When people began to arrive from theirlong distance travel, they were shocked to find that they could not meetin the Longhouse. During February and March, 1997, these Six NationsPeople had met in the Onondaga Longhouse about issues important to eachof the Nations. Onondaga is the Central Fire of the Six Nations. Therewere a few Clan Mothers and Onondaga Women who supported the lockout,and sat next door at the cookhouse. One Clan Mother came out to talkand say that she was sorry it was locked. When asked by the People whotravelled there, "Why is the Longhouse locked?" The Clan Motherreplied, "I'm sorry, you can't go in there, not today." The Six NationsPeople met anyway outside on the steps of the Onondaga Longhouse. Thepurpose of the meeting was information gathering, status of the SixNations Chiefs, and the ongoing struggle against Governor Pataki's taxagreement against the Six Nations. No disruption or violence occurred. The Clan Mothers stayed next door at the cookhouse after a dialogue withan Onondaga woman from the meeting, but still accepted hand-outs ofinformation from this meeting.