An international exhibit titled “Deskaheh in Geneva 1923-2023: Defending Haudenosaunee Sovereignty” will take place from September 24 to 28, 2023, on the Arts Quad. This exhibition commemorates the centenary of Deskaheh Levi General’s historic intervention on behalf of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy at the League of Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.
Deskaheh’s petition, made in 1923, is widely acknowledged as a pivotal moment in the international Indigenous sovereignty movement. His advocacy highlighted ongoing structural inequities faced by Indigenous peoples globally throughout the 20th century. As a Gayogoho꞉nǫʔ (Cayuga) hoyaneh (chief or titleholder), Deskaheh represented the Haudenosaunee, a confederation of six sovereign nations: the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora.
Jolene Rickard, curator of the exhibit and associate professor of history of art and visual studies at the College of Arts and Sciences, emphasized the significance of the display. “The goal of the exhibit is to celebrate Deskaheh’s work in favor of Indigenous peoples and the role that Geneva has played and still plays in this field. It expresses the voices of the Haudenosaunee and Geneva allies,” she stated. Rickard, who is from the Tuscarora Nation, aims to shine a light on this critical historical moment and its lasting impact.
The exhibition will be held outdoors, allowing for public engagement and reflection on the themes of sovereignty and representation in the context of Indigenous rights. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the legacy of Deskaheh’s work and its relevance today, as discussions around Indigenous sovereignty continue to evolve.
This event is part of a broader effort to recognize and promote the contributions of Indigenous leaders and movements. By highlighting Deskaheh’s historic role, the exhibit serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for recognition and justice faced by Indigenous communities worldwide.
For more information about the exhibition, details can be found on the College of Arts and Sciences website.
