State Sen. Tim Kennedy is calling on the state Department of Transportation to honor its agreement with Native American tribes to install murals honoring their culture on Interstate 87’s Exit 3 overpass leading to the Albany International Airport.
The tribes expected the DOT to install the murals over the summer. Now, the DOT says that it wants to install the murals in a park-like cultural site away from the overpass.
But the involved tribes and Kennedy are insisting that the agreement, made in 2014, be honored.
“New York State made this commitment in writing, the murals have been manufactured, and now it’s time to make this situation right and install them in an expeditious manner upon the Exit 3 overpass over I-87,” Kennedy said.
In a letter to DOT Commissioner Marie Dominguez, Kennedy requested that the murals be installed “in short order.”
After stone tools thousands of years old were found during the construction of the overpass, the tribes recommended the construction project avoid the archeological site. Instead, the DOT and tribes reached a compromise of murals on the overpass’ outer wings that would depict dancers, accompanied by interpretive signage discussing the archeological site and the consultation work involved.
DOT spokesman Glenn Blain did not explain why the DOT has not honored the original agreement, nor did he comment on Kennedy’s letter specifically.
“Given the deep historical significance of Native American culture in this area, this is an opportunity to create a historical site that would honor the Tribes and Nation and provide a gathering place for everyone to view the murals and reflect on the important contributions Native Americans have made to the Capital Region,” he said.
The Exit 3 stretch of I-87 sees almost 100,000 vehicles a day on average, according to DOT data cited by Kennedy.
The DOT agreed to install the murals after federally-mandated negotiations with the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican Nation, Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and Delaware Tribe.
“It’s about fulfilling your end of the bargain,” said Heather Bruegl, director of cultural affairs for the Stockbridge-Munsee Community, of the tribes’ refusal to consider alternatives.
“The visual aspect of being able to see the murals when you’re driving down the freeway is huge,” she continued. “It’s going to be seen by a lot of people, and having it moved to some other location that people may or may not see is not acceptable.”
“It acknowledges and highlights the historical connection we have to our ancestral lands, which is not something just of the ancient past, but is vibrant and alive in the modern era,” said the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council of the mural installation.
Kennedy, a Buffalo Democrat, is the chairman of the state Senate Committee on Transportation and of the Subcommittee on State-Native American Relations.
“To me, it’s another demonstration of moving forward in New York, showing a new day has dawned” with regards to the relationship between Native American tribes and the state, Kennedy said.
“For too long, Native Americans have been treated as second class citizens by state and federal governments,” he wrote in the letter to Dominguez.
“It is imperative that this agreement is carried out, not only to build trust and respect the sovereignty of Native Nations here in New York but also to honor the sacrifices and contributions that Native Americans have made to this state.”
Previously, the Stockbridge-Munsee Community issued a lengthy press release about the DOT’s refusal to honor the original agreement, shortly after a USA Today Network article was published on the situation.
The overpass was opened in 2019 accompanied by much fanfare from the state.
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State senator calls on DOT to honor Exit 3 agreement with Native tribes - Times Union
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