The Center for Indigenous Law, Governance & Citizenship held it's inaugural symposium, "Going Home," on Nov. 10 at the Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel and Conference Center. Attended by around 125 people, the one-day symposium addressed the return of removed Indigenous peoples and attracted attendance from Indian tribal leaders, as well as state and local government officials.

In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the United States pursued a policy for dealing with the Indigenous peoples in the eastern and southern states that induced them to relinquish their lands and physically relocate to lands in the West. In New York, the Removal Policy resulted in land loss and dispersal for all of the historic Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) nations in addition to other Indigenous peoples. While some of these peoples avoided physical removal, others were relocated to Ohio, Kansas, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and Canada.

Very recently, these removed Indian nations have sought to reclaim a connection to their aboriginal territory in New York by purchasing small parcels of land and starting new commercial ventures (including gaming). Occurring against the backdrop of three decades of land claims litigation; these efforts have generated considerable controversy amongst both Indians and non-Indians in the Central New York area.

"Going Home" was convened for the purpose of sharing information relating to the issue of removed Indian nations seeking to return to their aboriginal territory in New York. This subject involves a myriad of issues related to culture, history, economics, and politics and presents a unique opportunity to explore the modern ramifications of 19th century American colonization policies.