WISH CNY came together in July 2020 with the initial goal of rethinking, removing, and replacing the statue in downtown Syracuse, and sharing why this is important to each of us.
We understand that this change involves the courage of truth-telling and developing respect-in-action for the Native People (the Onondaga) whose land we live on. Each of our members has benefited and given to the Syracuse community, and we have immigrant Italian heritage.
We are passionate about public educational outreach, which is vital to begin collaboration for our shared future.
Latest News and Notes from WISH
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Festival on Unceded Onondaga Land-2026 is October 10th from 10:00 am-5:00 pm. at
Tsha' Thon'nhes
3370 Route 11a, Nedrow, NY
Bring the whole family!
Festival will be held on Saturday, October 10th,
10 am-5 pm
Indigenous Peoples' Day Festival on unceded Onondaga land at Tsha' Thon'nhes (Where They Play Ball,) will be held on Saturday, October 10th from 10 am-5 pm. This multi-generational and dynamic event will include social dancing, singing, art displays, guest speakers, children's activities, a sensory/nursery room for a quiet space and so much more. Exceptional food vendors, over 50 community organizations and fine art and craft vendors will display and promote their foodways and products for the public. This event will be ADA accessible for mobility devices and certified service animals were welcome.
Art and fine crafts for sale include beadwork, beading supplies, beaded jewelry, leatherwork, stonework, bonework, sashes, sculpture, skirts, medallions, earrings, key chains, lanyards, art prints, woodwork, greeting cards, baskets, wampum jewelry, moccasins, herbal medicines, salves, tinctures, regalia, clothing, trade silver, flutes, beaded purses, velvet birds, shirts, and more will be featured!
Meet us at the Columbus Monument on Monday, October 12th from 5:00-6:00 PM
for the unveiling of a long-awaited Art Event and Dissent at the Monument
Reappraising Columbus: Syracuse must finish what it started (Guest Opinion by WISH CNY)
May 7th, 2026
WISH members and friends enjoy a glorious day on Tully Lake at the 2026 WISH Family and Friends Picnic
How You Can Help with the Removal and Replacement of the Monument
Reach out to our Syracuse Common Council Members and asking them to support the removal and replacement of the Columbus Monument. Find your Council District and Counselor
Write a Letter to the Editor (250 words) or Guest Opinion (800 words) to the Post Standard | Syracuse.com. Email your letter to letters@syracuse.com. See Syracuse Post Standard Guidelines; questions can be sent to Marie Morelli at mmorelli@syracuse.com.
WISH CNY Promotes Outreach and Education
Onondaga Nation Amicus Brief on Columbus Statue
As of September 9th, 2021, the Onondaga Nation Amicus Brief is now available to the public. The Amicus Affirmation provides an in-depth historical account of the Onondaga Nation’s living history with the Columbus Statue.
Celebrate Diversity,
Replace Columbus
As part of a broad public relations campaign, Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation, in collaboration with Women of Italian and Syracuse Heritage, is distributing lawn signs with the message "Celebrate Diversity - Replace Columbus" in the greater Syracuse area.
Lawn signs are available at Syracuse Cultural Workers or by contacting Sue Eiholzer at rsue@twcny.rr.com
Celebrating
Notable Italian and Italian-American Women
The United States has typically prioritized honoring men in history. Here is a non-comprehensive list of resources of women with Italian heritage., worthy of being remembered, both contemporary to Columbus and more recent.
Our First Effort: Rethinking, Removing and Replacing Columbus
Letter to the Mayor’s Committee
August 15, 2020
We, ten women of Italian-American ancestry, have seriously considered the monuments to Columbus and their symbolic statement of Italian immigrant pride. Italians have a deep and rich history of which we can be proud. However, we know that this monument of Christopher Columbus, erected in Syracuse in 1934, is no longer a suitable symbol of pride, and not one that we would offer to represent our Italian ancestry. Given the truth of his missions, including slavery, betrayal, and violence toward Indigenous Peoples in the name of Spain and Christendom; we respectfully request the removal of the statue and a rethinking of this “idol.”
Our Italian ancestry is something each of us views differently, but each with respect for the legacy of our ancestors. It is a human attribute to express pride in one’s heritage, but we are obligated to honor historical truths, not myths. We are looking with honesty at our past while presenting a message of hopeful change for the way we show respect to our Syracuse Italian ancestry.
The complete document is available on our In The News page.
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