Collection ID: Law Spec. Coll. 09

Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Lehman, J. David, Bieder, Robert E. (Robert Eugene), 1938-, Coulter, Robert T., Heath, Joseph J., Robertson, Lindsay Gordon, Wallace, Anthony F. C., 1923-, Clark Concrete Co. Inc., Hanson Aggregates North America, Honeywell International Inc., and Indian Law Resource Center
Abstract:
Materials from litigation of Onondaga Nation land claims in central New York State, Onondaga Nation v. New York, et al, U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York, Docket 05-CV-0314
Extent:
1 Linear Feet and 2 manuscript boxes
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Specified item], Box/Folder #, Law Spec. Coll. 09, Onondaga Land Claims Records, 2005-2008, Charles B. Sears Law Library, The State University of New York at Buffalo.

Background

Scope and Content:

Collection includes official court filings, historical and legal experts' reports and maps, a transcript of oral argument, and background research materials prepared during the ongoing litigation. Also included is related information collected by the processor, Karen L. Spencer, the Archives and Special Collections Librarian in the Charles B. Sears Law Library.

Biographical / Historical:

On March 11, 2005 the Onondaga Nation filed a federal court action in the Northern District of New York seeking a declaratory judgment that they hold title to their aboriginal territory in central New York State stretching from Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River to Pennsylvania. The case, Onondaga Nation v. New York, et al, 05-CV-0314 , does not seek eviction of landholders or damages but a declaration that New York illegally took the land from the Onondagas in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The Onondaga's expressed motivation is to participate in and encourage full environmental clean-up of Onondaga Lake and the surrounding area.

The defendants are the State of New York, the Governor, Onondaga County, the City of Syracuse, Honeywell International, Inc., Trigen Syracuse Energy Corp., Clark Concrete Co., Inc., Valley Realty Development Co., Inc., and Hanson Aggregates North America.

Oral argument on the defendants' motion to dismiss was heard on October 11, 2007.

Acquisition information:
Gift of electronic copy on cd-rom of items filed on behalf of the plaintiff, Onondaga Nation, received from their attorney, Joseph Heath in November, 2006. Other items from the docket printed from the PACER electronic database in January 2008. Also includes background information collected by the processor.
Processing information:

Processed by Karen L. Spencer.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged in four series:

I. Plaintiff's Filings

II. Defendant's Filings

III. Court Actions

IV. Background Materials

I-III are arranged by item number in the court's docket found in Series III.

Accruals:

Accruals are expected to this collection as the case progresses through the courts.

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard.

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

The bulk of the Onondaga Nation Land Claims Records are open for research. Materials can be examined by qualified researchers in the Law Library during hours of operation during which Law Reference Librarians are present. In order to insure access, researchers are advised to contact the Law Library in advance of visits.

TERMS OF ACCESS:

Court materials are in the public domain. Copyright of background research materials lies with the respective authors or authors' heirs and publishers. Researchers must obtain the written permission of the holder(s) of copyright. Most papers may be copied in accordance with the library's usual procedures unless otherwise specified.

PREFERRED CITATION:

[Specified item], Box/Folder #, Law Spec. Coll. 09, Onondaga Land Claims Records, 2005-2008, Charles B. Sears Law Library, The State University of New York at Buffalo.

LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
O'Brian Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260, United States
CONTACT:
716-645-6765
asklaw@buffalo.edu