Programs

Join respected scholar and principal of the newly formed Niagara Academy for Indigenous Relationships, Rick Hill (Tuscarora, Six Nations of the Grand River, Beaver Clan), for a thought-provoking lecture exploring the complex legacy of George Washington from an Indigenous perspective. While Washington is often celebrated as the nation’s first president and a symbol of American democracy, his policies, and military campaigns—including the devastating Sullivan-Clinton Campaign—left lasting impacts on Native communities.

Hill will offer a grounded and insightful reflection on these histories, illuminating how the Haudenosaunee experienced and remember Washington’s leadership. This program is presented in conjunction with the exhibition George Washington: An American Paradox, which examines the contradictions of Washington’s life as both a champion of liberty and a perpetuator of slavery and violence.

As we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026, this conversation invites the public to engage more deeply with the tensions and legacies of the founding era, fostering a fuller and more honest understanding of America’s past.