Oren Lyons Receives Syracuse University Environmental Award

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Chief Oren Lyons, Faithkeeper

Native Brief: SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Well-respected Chief Oren Lyons received the George Arents Award for Excellence in Social and Environmental Activism from Syracuse University.

Lyons is the faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan, Onondaga Council of Chiefs of the Haudenosaunee, responsible for maintaining the customs and traditions of the people and representing their interests in the world community. He is also chairman of the board of Honoring Nations at Harvard University, and of Plantagon, which has received world recognition in greenhouse innovation.

Lyons, professor emeritus of American studies and SUNY distinguished service professor at the State University New York University at Buffalo, is the publisher of the national Native American publication "Daybreak" magazine and co-editor of "Exiled in the Land of the Free."

Among Lyons' many honors are the Ellis Island Congressional Medal of Honor, the National Audubon Award, the First Annual Earth Day International Award of the United Nations and the Elder and Wiser Award of the Rosa Parks Institute for Human Rights.

A star student-athlete in lacrosse, while at Syracuse University, Lyons won the University's Laurie Cox Award and the Orange Key Award in 1957, and received the Syracuse University Letterman of Distinction Award in 1989. He was inducted into the Syracuse University Sports Hall of Fame and the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Lyons is a founding member of the Onondaga Athletic Club and chairman of the Iroquois Nationals.

In addition to his bachelor's degree in fine arts, Syracuse University presented Lyons with an honorary doctor of laws degree in 1993, during which time he also delivered the Syracuse University Commencement address. A campus residence hall, Lyons Hall, is named in his honor.

posted November 18, 2011 2:30 pm est