SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Onondaga Community College kicked off a new Indigenous lecture series today with a lecture by local Haudenosaunee artist Brandon Lazore, aiming to educate the broader Syracuse community about indigenous culture and history.
Lazore, who grew up between Syracuse and the Onondaga Reservation, started making art in the 90s with graffiti. He started making canvas art that incorporated his indigenous background after taking a class at OCC. His art is now seen all over Onondaga County, including a memorial on Syracuse University’s campus that Lazore designed.
As Lazore’s work evolved, so did his audience.
“People want to hear the artist’s explanation of their paintings,” Lazore said. “It led me to doing these symposiums to talk about my artwork and explain, you know, the meanings in it. The influences I’ve had.”
The history Lazore taught wasn’t exactly the history learned in history class. Lazore started with the Haudenosaunee creation myth and ended with explaining the similarities between the Onondaga Nation and American governments. His presentation blended art, history and cultural education.
Lazore said he hopes attendees continue learning beyond the event.
“Learn a little of the history about the Haudenosaunee and the culture. Maybe spark something in you that makes you want to go and learn a little bit more.”
After the talk, guests were served Indigenous foods, including corn soup and strawberry juice.
OCC Indigenous admissions coordinator Irv Lyons Jr. said the goal of the series is to promote knowledge about the Haudenosaunee people.
“The Haudenosaunee have been here for more than 500 years,” Lyons said. “A lot of people still don’t know, so we wanted to bring ‘Haudenosaunee 101’ to kind of give everyone an introduction to who we are, what we are.”
Lyons hopes this will be the first of many lectures introducing Indigenous artists and perspectives.
The next lecture is scheduled for April 19 at the Gordon Student Center on OCC’s campus. The event begins at 5 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early, as the first lecture drew a full house.