“Listen to the Elders” Speaker Series: Chief Spencer Ohsgoñ:da’ Lyons

Chief Spencer Ohsgoñ:da’ Lyons is a traditional Hodinoñhsyoñ:nih born to the Onondaga Hawk Clan and was raised in the central fire of the Confederacy. In 2019, he was chosen by his clan to serve as Hoyane (Chief) under the title of Hoyoñnyeñ:nih and continues to represent the Onondaga Hawk Clan family. Along with serving his role on the Onondaga Nation Council, he is currently working with the Hodinoñhsyoñ:nih Environmental Task Force as well as assisting the Onondaga Language Program. Spencer also consults with the Hodinoñhsyoñ:nih External Relations Committee on behalf of the Onondaga Nation Council.

As a person who was born and raised within the traditional and cultural life ways of the Hodinoñhsyo:nih, he continues to apply and enact those teachings within his everyday life by gardening, hunting, fishing and gathering in both modern and traditional aspects. Spencer also promotes and supports those teachings within his community as well as with those who would be allies to the Great Law of Peace and the Hodinoñhsyoñ:nih Confederacy, always with the next seven generations in mind.