 Symbols
There are many symbols important to the Onondaga culture and heritage which assist in recognizing and understanding its unique and special nature. Wampum belt designs, the tree of Peace, the Eagle, Mother Earth, Clan symbols, and moon phases pictures
demonstrate the great spirit and history of the Onondaga people. Many of these elements and their symbolism had significance to the Onondaga people before the time of the written word.
Architectural Design
The architecture of the Onondaga Nation School addition makes use of materials, symbols and a design that focuses on the Onondaga and Iroquois culture and history. The design was planned and discussed with many members of the Onondaga community. Ideas and elements to be incorporated were presented and refined. Clearly the school was to be not only a school but also a cultural center. The key element at an early stage of design was the Cultural Gallery at the heart of the building. It was designed with a circular recessed floor representing Mother Earth with wooden arches enclosing the space around and overhead.
Materials
The materials used in the design of this school and cultural center were to be natural materials from the earth. The floors in the center and Cultural Gallery are a natural split, cleft slate. A number of other floors are wood. The Mother Earth turtle symbol is composed of strips of colored inlaid wood. The exterior of the building is a brick of an earth color, the roof materials is natural slate.
Purple Color
The purple color in sections of the brick work, the windows and doors was picked from the natural purple wampum. The purple in the original wampum was made from the purple portion of the clam shells found along the Atlantic coast. This purple wampum came to the Onondagas most likely by trading with people of the Atlantic coast area.
 Light
Early in the design it was discussed that the introducation of as much natural light as possible into the building interior was very desirable. The large skylight at the Cultural Gallery allows light into the center of the structure. Light shelves on the classroom elevations and large windows reflect light deep into the interior of the rooms.
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