Joe Heath

The agreement with owner Honeywell is the most significant land-back accomplishment in North America.

After years of negotiations with the Onondaga County government, the Onondaga Nation plans to use the traditional land, near Jamesville prison, as a cemetery.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights rules the US must answer for allowing the illegal seizure of Onondaga land by New York State centuries ago.

The remains and funerary objects were removed by scientists in 1961, and reburied in 1999. Some are concerned the site could be disturbed yet again if the jail closes, and the county sells the property.