The Wells College campus in Aurora, New York presents a rare and historic opportunity. The Hiawatha Institute for Indigenous Knowledge seeks to establish the first fully accredited Indigenous college in the Northeast United States on this campus, creating an institution rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems, sciences, languages, arts, and governance.

This transition would preserve the Wells campus while honoring the legacy of Wells alumni and the generations who built its history. Rather than allowing the campus to fade, this initiative offers a future grounded in education, community partnership, and regional revitalization.

A central component of this vision is the Joanne Shenandoah School of Music, honoring the Grammy Award winning Oneida artist Joanne Shenandoah and ensuring that Indigenous artistic excellence and cultural knowledge are preserved and elevated for generations to come.

The establishment of the Hiawatha Institute strengthens our communities, creates space for future generations, and builds broad and meaningful allyship in support of Indigenous led higher education. This effort invites collaboration from Wells alumni, regional leaders, philanthropic partners, financial institutions, and community members who believe in sustainable, forward thinking solutions.

We call on state officials, funders, institutional partners, and community allies to stand in support of this historic transition and help secure the future of Indigenous led higher education in the Northeast.