By Dr. Rodney Haring
This piece carries a story held in Good Mind—of resistance, resilience, and continuance. Two trees connected standing in unity. The bottom intentionally singed, a living reminder of the burning of Onödowáʼga:’ (Seneca) homes during the Kinzua removal, when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers forcibly displaced families from treaty-protected lands.
The fire marks truth. It does not erase it. From that burning rises the top of the tree—steam-bent, carved, and shaped upward—representing new growth, resistance, resilience, and the enduring strength of the people. Hickory was hand-dug and collected from Quaker Bridge Area-Low Banks-on the Allegany Territory, where Dr. Rodney C. Haring’s family once lived.
The piece was designed, steamed, carved, and chiseled by Dr. Haring (Onödowáʼga:’), carrying family memory into form. His nephew, Brody D. Jimerson (Onödowáʼga:’) wove the piece with full leather and bear rawhide, honoring connection to the Bear Clan—medicine, healing, and the strength of the bear that protects the people. The base is White Pine from the Cattaraugus Territory, Seneca Nation. Representing the Tree of Peace—foundational knowledge, wisdom, and strength within the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. Two territories. One people. Connected across lands and generations. Lacrosse is medicine.
It roots us—across water, across forced removal, across time—carrying teachings forward with Good Mind. Together, this is the Roots of Our People: From burned homes to rising growth. From loss to continuance. From memory to future.
Photo credit: Kaylei Miller Photography
