There are competing proposals for the future use of Wells College, including one to establish an Indigenous college at the Aurora campus.Â
The plan was discussed Thursday at the United Ministry of Aurora. Doug George-Kanentiio, who represented the Hiawatha Institute of Indigenous Knowledge, outlined his organization's proposal for converting Wells into a "national university of the highest academic standards that preserves, protects and promotes Indigenous knowledge."Â
According to its 293-page proposal, the Hiawatha Institute would offer bachelor degree programs in agricultural science, biology, Indigenous history, marketing and psychology. The college would seek relationships with tribal nations in the eastern U.S.Â
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"By working in partnership with the Native nations, we will assure them that they will have a student that has a career waiting for them once they graduate," George-Kanentiio said.Â
A significant amount of funding is needed to form the Indigenous college. Citing Wells College staff, the Hiawatha Institute noted the Aurora campus has $60 million in deferred maintenance. George-Kanentiio estimates it will cost $100 million to open the new school.Â
The Hiawatha Institute will seek federal funding for the proposed Indigenous college and push the state to direct its share of revenue from tribal casinos to the institution. The Oneida Nation, Seneca Nation and St. Regis Mohawk Tribe pay 25% of their slot machine revenue to the state. While the state retains most of that revenue, one-quarter of it is provided to the counties within the tribes' exclusive gaming zones.Â
If the state transfers this revenue to the Indigenous college, George-Kanentiio said it would cover tuition for all students.Â
According to the American Gaming Association, tribal casinos in New York generate an annual tax impact and revenue-sharing payments totaling $757.7 million.Â
One aspect of the plan is to encourage Wells College to transfer the campus to the Hiawatha Institute. With Wells in the process of disposing of its assets, the transaction would need to be approved by the state attorney general's office.Â
"We can move immediately to take physical possession and by this time next year, we'll start formal teaching," George-Kanentiio said.Â
The proposal for an Indigenous college on the Wells campus is not a new concept. George-Kanentiio revealed the Hiawatha Institute first met with former Wells College President Jonathan Gibralter in 2020. There were more meetings over the last four years.Â
Shortly before Wells College announced it would close at the end of June, Gibralter notified the Hiawatha Institute. George-Kanentiio believes Gibralter did this "because he thought our idea was feasible."Â
Since the closure, the Hiawatha Institute has met with Wells College President Susan Henking, who succeeded Gibralter in July. So far, the college's board of trustees has not acted on any of the proposals it has received. One of the other proposals is to set up a boarding school on the Aurora campus.Â
The Hiawatha Institute is aiming to win the support of Aurora residents and the Cayuga Nation — the Wells College campus is located on land that was taken from the Cayugas — for its proposal. They are also hopeful that the federal and state governments will back the creation of an Indigenous college in the Northeast.Â
"Can we do this? Yes, we can," George-Kanentiio said. "We have the plan."Â
Government reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding.