The Journey into an unfamiliar place

Depart: Reservation (Rez) Arrival: Urban Space (Indian Club)

Here we stand

Rez is a slang term used by Native people to refer to the word reservation.

I hope to illustrate the importance of an old establishment located within

Syracuse and used by Natives whom reside on the Onondaga Reservation.

Natives both on and off the rez choose to seek education and job services

provided by the New York State Government at the “Indian club”. My

intentions are to capture the journey from the rez to the Indian club via

photographs (rather than simply mapping the journey on a map). I hope to

bring more awareness to the Indian club through my primary research

(photographs and interview).

Tsha’Hon’nonyen’dakhwa’English translation: where they play games

Where they play gamesThis photograph is of the sports arena located on the rez. This

building is very popular and often used by residents and non-

residents for lacrosse and hockey games. The arena is located

on Route 11 which is a short distance from exit 16 (not in the

main area where Natives inhabit). This is one of the reasons

non-natives do venture to the rez besides the smoke shop

(which is conveniently located next door). The building design

itself has a lot of history built into it hence the two wampum

belts shown.

Images on building:

• Hiawatha Belt: Unity among 5 nations (Great Law of

Peace)

• Purple lines that extend out of the purple squares are for

other Nations to travel and join the Confederacy (shelter

beneath branches)

• Two Row Wampum: Peace & friendship with Dutch

(coexisting but never crossing paths)

Onondaga Nation Smoke Shop

This is the Onondaga Nation Smoke shop which is the number one

reason non-natives visit the rez. It is conveniently located a short

distance from Interstate 81,Exit 16 so people can purchase their

tobacco products and get right back on the Interstate. To many this

is all they know of the rez.

Main RoadMany Natives from the Onondaga Nation venture to the

Indian Club to seek education and job placement assistance.

I hope my photographs bring awareness to a journey from

people into a space that is often over looked.

This photograph is of the “main road” which is the primary

road traveled to and from the rez. The purpose of the

picture is to illustrate the road signs hence North Route 11A.

This was the only route traveled by non-natives through the

rez prior to the construction of Interstate 81.

South sideA common mode of transportation for Natives from the rez

with no vehicle is the bus. The following picture is on the

bus route from the rez to the Centro hub were a transfer

takes place to the west-side. To be exact this picture is on

South Salina Street a block from the hub.

MissionIn route to the Indian Club on Gifford Street you will enter

the Rescue Mission “Mission District” hence the red

banners. The Mission District is often a sign of low income

areas and people that need assistance. Assistance could be

in the forms of shelter, food, counseling and many other

things. The Indian Club is located two block from the

Mission District.

Since 1919This photograph captures the widely known Nojaim Market

that has been in the near West side community since 1919.

The club seen in the background (large high riser) is only a

short walking distance from Nojaim Market. Nojaim’s is well

known for providing healthy food options in what would

otherwise be an urban food desert.

PH (Public housing)The Indian Club is located in the basement of the James

Geddes High risers located at 312 Gifford Street. It has been

at this location for over 20 years. Part of the clubs location is

due to cheap rent, utilities included and security provided

by the housing authority.

Walk thru

This is the entrance to the Indian Club on the far right side

beneath the outdated green sign. Nojaim Market is located

right across the road from Indian Club. Many student’s from

the Indian Club’s GED program used to walk across the road

to cash stipend check’s from the club at Nojaims (they no

longer cash checks). Daily lunches and snacks would also be

purchased at the market by Natives in the program.

Somewhere on the bottomThis outdated sign is still above the entrance to the Indian

Club. This is not just a sign for the Indian Club but also for the

James Geddes Management Office located on the side of the

building. The Indian Club is no longer referred to as the

Native American JTPA Program but the sign still hangs. The

name has been changed multiple times and with a quick

google search I learned the most recent name is the Native

American Cultural Center. Those who use the space call it the

“Indian Club”.

Look here

There is no sign on the main road advertising the

services offered in the public housing basement. The

separate entrance to the club is located on the back

side of the building unlike the main entrance towards

the street. A new visitor would not even know this

place existed unless another native, public housing

neighbor or employee gave them directions. There is

only a small green sign worn from years of service

above the basement door (entrance to Indian Club)

with several letters missing. It would be difficult for a

visitor to fill in the missing gaps in the sign with the

proper letters.

Somewhere in the BRICKS

In the basement of the Public Housing Building on Gifford

Street (near West-side) there is an establishment that has been

there for over 20 years. The building appears very old, plain,

poor, overpopulated, depressing and unwelcoming. The Indian

Club is located in the basement of an eight floor public housing

building. This location was chosen because of the many

Natives who once lived in the area.

Inside there is a welcoming group of Natives who are eager to

assist with education and job services.

Welcome to the Club

The entrance to the club appears unwelcoming and unkempt. The door is locked at all times for security purposes.

Tell me about the Club

Gail Vincent is the Coordinator of the Native American

Culture Center (aka Indian Club). Gail has been with the

club for over 15 years on Gifford Street and feels safe

and comfortable working there. She has seen many

successes and many failures with natives at the club.

No matter where the Natives come from she enjoys

helping them improve their lives through education

and job training.

Keepin’ it real

The inside is full of color and life, unlike the

outside of the building. The main office is

decorated with images of the three sisters,

mother earth and sky women (important

images to Native Americans).

There are also many types of plants in the

office as plant life is essential to our ways and

are addressed in the Thanksgiving address. The

décor of the office has a homey feel much like

a living room on the rez.