The Forgotten Lake
Map
Map
Story & Experience
On Saturday, four of us gathered here to recognize the lake. We quickly realized that is has been overlooked by many of us who grew up in the area; told by our elders that it was unsafe / unclean, we avoided it and forgot about it altogether as we spent years enjoying the other Finger lakes instead. Spending time here together allowed us to share stories, learn more about the lake’s history, grieve for the many life forms that have been lost, and reconnect with the beauty of the lake as it exists today. We were happily surprised by the vibrancy and diversity of life that we witnessed – many birds, native plants, people enjoying the park, etc. We learned that the lake is dimictic, and we learned about this history of the trees and salt marsh ecosystem that was present hundreds of years ago. We found ourselves re-writing the story of the forgotten lake with true appreciation for its resilience, as well respecting the special relationship the Onondaga people have with the lake as their sacred home.
On Saturday, four of us gathered here to recognize the lake. We quickly realized that is has been overlooked by many of us who grew up in the area; told by our elders that it was unsafe / unclean, we avoided it and forgot about it altogether as we spent years enjoying the other Finger lakes instead. Spending time here together allowed us to share stories, learn more about the lake’s history, grieve for the many life forms that have been lost, and reconnect with the beauty of the lake as it exists today. We were happily surprised by the vibrancy and diversity of life that we witnessed – many birds, native plants, people enjoying the park, etc. We learned that the lake is dimictic, and we learned about this history of the trees and salt marsh ecosystem that was present hundreds of years ago. We found ourselves re-writing the story of the forgotten lake with true appreciation for its resilience, as well respecting the special relationship the Onondaga people have with the lake as their sacred home.
Why this Place?
Onondaga Lake
Onondaga Lake, near Syracuse, NY, is a sacred place to many; it is the original home of the Onondaga nation, and is considered the “central fire” of the Haudenosaunee confederacy, which was formed by the original Five Nations (Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, and Mohawk) on the shores of this lake over 1,000 years ago. Unfortunately, since settlers took over the area in the 1700s, the lake has been mistreated and polluted. Heavy industry during the 1800 – 1900s poisoned the lake with toxins such as mercury; Onondaga became known as one of the worst polluted lakes in the United States and many of its inhabitants died. A cleanup effort over the past 15-20 years has improved the lake conditions but it is still wounded by this harm.
Act of Beauty
We spent time wandering near the lake shore and admiring the various trees, native plants and birds. We collected objects that called to us and created a bird sculpture using what we found.
Additional Photos
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