Genève 1923-2023 :
Défendre la souveraineté des Haudenosaunee
Deskaheh in Geneva 1923-2023:
Defending Haudenosaunee Sovereignty
Quai Wilson, Geneve 03.07. -16.08.2023
The Haudenosaunee Confederacy, City of Geneva, and Docip observe the centenary of Deskaheh Levi General’s intervention at the League of Nations in 1923. He was sent as a spokesperson for the Haudenosaunee Confederacy representing six sovereign nations: the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora. His petition is recognized as the catalyst for the international Indigenous sovereignty movement against ongoing structural inequities globally. This exhibition aims to celebrate his work in favor of Indigenous Peoples and the role that Geneva has played and still plays in this field. It expresses the voices of the Haudenosaunee and Geneva allies.
Deskaheh called for justice long denied to an Indigenous Nation. His call carried to nations across all Earth because the people and City of Geneva, Switzerland supported the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) cause.
This exhibition gathers our minds together, as many streams join to make a river. The first stream carries the fundamental knowledge of Haudenosaunee Principles. Hodinǫhsó:nih Odrihwogwáisǫh. The next tells a story of Justice Denied, Tęʔdeʔhodì:yęʔ Goihwoʔsrǫ́:nih. Another honors 100 years of friendship with lnternational Allies, Heyǫhwęjogwé:gǫh Degoihwokáhǫʔ. The last shows the distance between – and the path of reconciling – Indigenous and Western legal systems by anticipating Indigenous International Law, Ǫgwehǫ́weh Gayę́nsroʔ Ohę́:do:.
Nya:węh Merci Thank you
Deskaheh in Geneva 1923-2023: Defending Haudenosaunee Sovereignty
The exhibition is a collaboration between the Haudenosaunee Confederacy represented by HERC – Haudenosaunee External Relations Committee, the City of Geneva and Docip.
HERC – Haudenosaunee External Relations Committee
Deskaheh Steve Jacobs, Cayuga Nation
Kenneth Deer, Mohawk Nation of Kahnawake
Kayanesenh Paul Williams, Grand River Territory
Karissa John, Mohawk Nation of Grand River Territory
Brennen Ferguson, Tuscarora Nation
Chief Spencer Lyons, Onondaga Nation
Haudenosaunee Exhibition Team
Jolene Rickard, Tuscarora Nation – Curator (Cornell University, Professor)
Noah Mapes, Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa – Assistant Curator (Cornell University, Ph.D. Student)
Joel Martin, Joel Martin Graphic Design, Mohawk of the Grand River Territory – Exhibition Designer
Ann Frohman, Mohawk of the Grand River Territory – Exhibition Designer
Amber Adams, Mohawk Nation of the Grand River Territory – Writer
Kayanesenh Paul Williams, Grand River Territory – Legal Advisor
Augustin Leroy, la France – Translator (Cornell University, Ph.D. Student)
Steve Henhawk, Cayuga Nation of the Grand River Territory, Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ’ Homelands, (Cornell University, Linguist)
Waylon Wilson, Tuscarora Nation – Digital Designer (Cornell University, Ph.D. Student)
Mia McKie, Tuscarora Nation – Researcher (University of Toronto, Ph.D. Student, SUNY Buffalo)
Dusti Bridges, Waco, Texas – Map Designer (Cornell University, Ph.D. Student)
Rick Monture, Mohawk Nation of the Grand River Territory – Advisor (McMaster University, Professor)
Heather George, Mohawk Nation of Akwesasne – Researcher / Director of Woodland Cultural Center
Docip – Indigenous peoples’ centre for documentation, research and information
Rémi Orsier, Genève, la Suisse – Director Pierrette Birraux,
Genève, la Suisse – Director (1990-2013)
Sara Petrella, Genève, la Suisse (Université de Genève)
City of Genève, la Suisse
Tamara Wiher, Genève la Suisse
Advocate for the Exhibition
Olivier Coste, Genève, la Suisse
Title Panel
Information Panel
Deskaheh à Genève 1923-2023: Défendre la souveraineté des Haudenosaunee
Deskaheh in Geneva 1923-2023: Defending Haudenosaunee Sovereignty
Quai Wilson, Geneve
03.07. -16.08.2023
Deskaheh à Genève 1923-2023 : Défendre la souveraineté des Haudenosaunee Deskaheh in Geneva 1923-2023: Defending Haudenosaunee Sovereignt 