Living on Stolen Ground: How American Independence Disenfranchised the Haudenosaunee
- Jillian Adams
- May 5
- 2 min read
Wayne County, NY — May 5, 2026 – As part of the semiquincentennial programming, Wayne County historical societies will host a keynote speaker on Wednesday, May 13th at Gates Hall in Pultneyville. Dr. Michael Oberg will give a presentation entitled Stolen Ground: The American Revolution and Indigenous Dispossession in New York State. Although Wayne County was not officially “settled” until 1789, that does not mean this land was void of activity. For centuries prior to European contact, the Haudenosaunee used thes
e lands for hunting, fishing, and trading. The relationship between the Haudenosaunee and the United States is long and complicated.
Indigenous Americans were excluded from the Declaration of Independence and were not protected when the colonists began heading west. This presentation will discuss how these decisions have impacted the Haudenosaunee people.
Dr. Oberg is a distinguished professor of History at SUNY Geneseo since 1998 and is founder of the Geneseo Center for Local and Municipal History. He teaches courses in Native American History, American Indian Law and Public Policy, and the History of the Iroquois. He is the author of the comprehensive college textbook, Native America, A History, now in its 3rd edition. He lives in Rochester, New York. He has authored numerous other books including his soon-to-be-released title The Central Fire: The Rise, Fall, and Rise Again of the Onondaga Nation.
Introductions and local commentary will begin at 6:30pm. Dr. Oberg will begin his talk at 7:00pm and will go until 8:00pm, which will include a Q&A session. A reception and book signing will follow. This event is free to the public, but space is limited. Please RSVP to secure a seat. Visit WayneHistory.org/events to reserve your spot. This event is made possible through funding from the NYS 250 Commission and NYS Department of Education. ###