I am grateful to be alive, and I am grateful to live where I do.

I am an uninvited guest in the unceded Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ homeland, the Cayuga Lake watershed. The Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ are one of the 6 Hodinǫhsǫ́:nih peoples, who formed an alliance of Peace, that stretched across the land we now call New York from east to west, and from Pennsylvania to Lake Ontario from South to North. I recognize the sovereignty of Hodinǫhsǫ́:nih, and of all indigenous people.

I recognize that most Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ living today have never stepped foot in the land where their culture originated.

I support Hodinǫhsǫ́:nih rematriation, and the flourishing of Hodinǫhsǫ́:nih cultures, in their traditional homelands. 

2022, I first saw the word Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ. I am immensely grateful to have had the opportunity to learn about Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ language and culture, through classes with the Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ Learning Project. The knowledge and wisdom shared have been deeply impactful. Being exposed to new ideas can change a person’s world view. Learning about the people who are indigenous to where I live, has been such an experience for me.

In 2023, my son and I got to help plant a garden with the Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ Learning Project, on land in Danby, NY, at the Youth Farm Project. We helped weeding and harvesting. This is a very special garden, because Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ seeds, saved for generations of exile, were finally reunited with the earth where they were originated; rematriated by descendants of the 1st people to tend them: Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ.

I am committed to the work of re-connection, regeneration; healing: Healing the relationships between individuals, between groups of peoples, and between people and the planet.