It is easy to forget the past of the land around the Bucknell campus. From the snowy landscape in the winter, the birds chirping in spring, the sun rays warming campus in summer, and the crisp leaves in the fall, one may forget that this land once belonged to indigenous people.
Sid Jamieson is known locally as the first boy’s head lacross coach and further for creating the Iroquois National Team, a team composed of Native American players. Jamieson reflected on his time working for Bucknell, when his love and admiration for the community shone through, “that’s why I stayed here for 50 years, because of the people who work here and the people who go here”.
The Iroquois people are not much different than the life that most citizens lead. One similarity is the system of governance, where it is represented by animals that are seen on land, in water, and in the air. Although it goes under a different name, many the systems we have in place are prevelent in their society.
The Iroquois people maintain a unique spiritual, cultural, and historical relationship with the land. “We are all a part of everything that is above us, everything that is around us, and everything that is beneath us” Jamieson further explained while pointing out that, “We are the original environmentalists.”
The works of the Iroquois people are heavily rooted in connection with the land along with the people around you. In this video, a group speech was recited to connect everyone before learning.
Although seasons change, it is important to remember the history of the land where you stand. Everyone is part of something bigger than themselves. Respect the land presented to us by mother nature.