Hiawatha Institute for Indigenous Knowledge

03/28/2026

Shekólih everyone,

I am currently gathering CVs and letters of support for the Hiawatha Institute for Indigenous Knowledge and would love to connect with folks who may be interested.

If you are open to being considered, please send:
• Your CV
• A brief letter of support outlining the type of curriculum you would be qualified to teach (a Master's or PhD will be required to adhere to accredidation standards, for example: subject areas, levels, approaches, or any specialized knowledge you bring)

This can include academic, creative, community-based, or interdisciplinary teaching experience.

Feel free to share this with others who might be a good fit. I appreciate the support and look forward to learning more about your work. Yaw^ko 💜🪶

[email protected]
Dr. Kahawhitha Leah Shenandoah, PhD

03/03/2026

Shekólih everyone, if you have time please share this post and email your letter of support for the Hiawatha Institute for Indigenous Knowledge to take root at the former Wells Campus to [email protected].

Yaw^'ko! Let's make this happen!! 💜🙌🏽🪶

02/22/2026

URGENT: Federal Funding Opportunity!

Senator Schumer’s office has invited us to apply for a federal “earmarked” funding award in support of the Hiawatha Institute for Indigenous Knowledge and our acquisition of the Wells College campus in Aurora, NY.

The application must be submitted very soon. We are targeting early March.

We have been advised that letters of support will significantly strengthen our submission.

The Hiawatha Institute for Indigenous Knowledge is working to establish a fully accredited Indigenous college in Aurora, New York. This institution will be open to all peoples and rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems, sciences, technologies, languages, arts, and governance.

There are currently 34 Tribal Colleges in the United States, but none east of the Mississippi except two in Michigan. The Northeast has long lacked an Indigenous center for higher education. This college will help fill that gap.

Our vision includes:

• Accredited undergraduate and graduate programs
• On-campus and distance learning
• Integrated health programs combining traditional and contemporary medical approaches
• The Joanne Shenandoah School of Music, honoring my Mom, the late Grammy Award-winning Oneida artist
• Cultural programming, community partnerships, and regional economic revitalization
• Preservation of the Wells College campus and continued partnership with the Aurora community

Indigenous people remain significantly underrepresented in post-secondary education. This institution will provide culturally grounded, academically rigorous pathways that allow students to pursue professional careers without compromising their identity or sovereignty.

If you believe in Indigenous education, cultural resurgence, and the future of higher learning in the Northeast, please consider writing a letter of support.

Letters may be sent to:

[email protected]

We will compile and attach all letters to our federal application.

Your voice matters in this moment, yaw^'ko for your support ❤🪶

02/16/2026

Shekólih! Yaw^'ko to our friends supporting the Joanne Shenandoah School of Music at the Hiawatha Institute for Indigenous Knowledge! I am grateful and excited for this amazing opportunity that not only honors my late Mom's legacy but also creates space for Indigenous communities, allies and the future generations to come. I am working on a set list and gathering volunteers and potential locations for a fundraising concert for this cause. I can hear my Mom singing "Going back" in my head and even though we miss her every day, I know she is guiding and supporting us in this historic and important moment Please continue to share and support our efforts, we have a lot of work to do! Yaw^'ko - Dr. Leah Shenandoah

https://gofund.me/314dc502d

https://youtu.be/69wXtJ-I9bM?si=f_cFzUkmekU9GYN2

Provided to YouTube by A-Train EntertainmentGoing Back · Joanne ShenandoahJoanne Shenandoah℗ Canyon RecordsReleased on: 1993-01-01Artist: Joanne ShenandoahMu...

02/14/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1C9yn87cd9/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Wells Board Accepts Purchase Offer From Hiawatha Institute

By Owen Saville

After 156 years, Wells College closed on June 30, 2024. Since that time, the campus has sat vacant.
According to an article on Syracuse.com, the Wells College Board of Trustees blamed the closure on financial struggles, low enrollment, and rising costs, which led to the shutdown of the school.

After putting the campus up for sale and contracting with a real estate firm to manage the sale process, information about the sale process and fate of the campus has been scarce.

However, that vacancy is soon to come to an end. As of the week of January 10, 2026, The Wells College Board of Trustees announced that they have accepted an offer of $12.5 million from the Hiawatha Institute for Indigenous Knowledge to purchase the defunct college’s campus.

The Hiawatha Institute for Indigenous Knowledge is a nonprofit that focuses on indigenous education. According to the article from Syracuse.com the area’s vast history led to the Institute’s acquisition.

According to the Hiawatha Institute website, the college will be focused on Indigenous studies, and also plans to open parts of the campus up for apartments and businesses to lease out space.

The group is planning to work in a two-phase red development. Phase I, which is referred to as “Peachtown” will focus on converting three former dormitories into 80-100 apartments, which are planned to have below average rent costs. Phase II will focus more on building the college itself, getting students, and hiring staff - which will live on campus, similar to the students. Along with that, they will be allowing the elementary/middle school that sits on campus to stay open and active.

Finalizing the purchase requires clearing a number of legal hurdles, including approval of the New York State Attorney General.

02/09/2026

https://www.wxxinews.org/local-news/2026-01-27/regions-first-indigenous-university-could-open-next-year-on-the-former-wells-college-campus?fbclid=IwZnRzaAP3QDJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeKXDx2ICNTHTikpTPpdIUUdrJrviiGVfwFVYlqt1_u4J0cTk6vy8A7KIUI8U_aem_GGiD0tEQJ7_f5CHtFJFroA

An accredited university dedicated to Indigenous studies could welcome its first students in the fall of 2027 to the former campus of Wells College.

02/09/2026

Shekólih, I’m sharing something very close to my heart.
I recently joined the Board of the Hiawatha Institute for Indigenous Knowledge a non profit 501 (c)(3), which is working to build a fully accredited Indigenous university on the former Wells College campus in Aurora, NY.

As part of this work, I’m also helping establish the Joanne Shenandoah School of Music in honor of my Aknulhá.
We are raising funds to support acquisition and early program development, and every contribution truly matters.

If you’re able, please consider donating or sharing. Yaw^'ko for supporting Indigenous education, sovereignty, and future generations

Shekólih, I am writing to share an important moment in my … Leah Shenandoah needs your support for Support the Hiawatha Institute for Indigenous Knowledge