‘Being Alive Well’: an Indigenous approach to well being

February 21, 2025 | By Julia Müsseler, Contributing Writer | alleghenycampus.com Pictured above: Participants learn how to make corn husk dolls from mother-daughter duo Antoinette Scott and Mary Denea. During the program “Being Alive Well” members of indigenous tribes presented their holistic conception of well-being among others at the Doane Art Gallery in the Henderson Campus Center last week. “We basically just invited indigenous people of various kinds and left it to them to decide what to do,” said organizer and Visiting Associate Professor Steven Farrelly-Jackson about the program. The event on Feb. 14 was divided into several talks from members of the local

Gabriel Tallchief Participates in the Order of the Engineer Induction Ceremony

Submitted by Shantel Burning Gabriel Tallchief, Seneca, Bear Clan of the Cattaraugus Territory is the son of Shantel Burning and grandson of Sheila Cooper. On February 19, 2025 participated in the Order of the Engineer Induction Ceremony. The Order of the Engineers an organization dedicated to upholding the standards and dignity of the engineering profession. The ceremony includes brief remarks on engineering professionalism and ethics, recitation of the Engineer’s Obligation and the acceptance by the inductees of a stainless- steel ring to be worn on the little finger of the working hand. Gabriel will be graduating, summer 2025, with a Bachelor

News From The Four Corners United Methodist Church

Rte. 438 and Versailles Plank Road, Cattaraugus Territory | PO Box 182, Versailles, NY 14168 Submitted by Marilyn Anderson On Tuesday, March 4 we celebrated “Fat Tuesday” at Four Corners with delicious cakes, pies and chili. Our friends from Gowanda UMC and Hamburg UMC joined us for the eve of Lent. On March 5 we celebrated Ash Wednesday with our friends at the Gowanda UMC. The next few weeks symbolize Jesus last days before his crucifixion on April 18, Good Friday. On Sunday, April 20 we will be celebrating Jesus’ resurrection at our Easter service at 9 a.m. Following the service we

Congrats to Shawn M. Ralston!

Shawn M. Ralston, of the Cattaraugus Reservati on, recently received his Master’s Degree (Cum Laude) in Indigenous Education from Arizona State University. Shawn serves as the Manager of Curriculum Design at the Close Up Foundation. Among his many responsibilities, Shawn oversees the curriculum design of Close Up’s annual program on Native Youth including the United South and Eastern Tribe (USET) Youth impact Summit in Washington, D.C. Prior to Close Up, Shawn was employed at the ECLC Program in Irving. He currently resides in Brooklyn, NY with his wife, Aria Shavelson, a producer on CBS Sunday Morning. Shawn is the son of Jim

Ja:göh Molly Shaw

Ja:göh Molly Shaw, Onöndowa'ga, Gota:yö:nih, daughter of Matt and Melissa Shaw, took the oath and was inaugurated as Silver Creek School District, first ever student representative on the Board of Education. The Silver Creek School Board had been looking into the idea of student representation for some time. NYS released information not long ago that starting July 1, 2025, New York State is requiring all school districts to have an ex-officio student board member. The Silver Creek district was a bit ahead of the times because they had been planning to have a student representative, so they were already prepared to

Ja:göh Keagan VanEvery Jaelyn Nelms

Ja:göh Keagan VanEvery, Hodae’ö:ga:’ (He is Heron Clan), Onödowa'ga:', trombone player, and Jaelyn Nelms, Godae’ö:ga:’ (She is Heron clan), Onödowa'ga:', bass drum player. They recently had the opportunity to showcase their musical talents with the Iroquois Indian Concert & Marching Band at the Albany FireWolves lacrosse game on February 15th for Indigenous Celebration Night! The all-Haudenosaunee band featuring twenty-seven dedicated members, including an honor guard and color guard proudly represented the Tuscarora, Tonawanda, and Seneca Nation territories that evening. Since 1991, the band has been actively performing at events including the New York State and Erie County Fairs, and the Fall

Pleasant Valley Baptist Church Update

12557 Route 438, Irving, NY Submitted by Kathy Bloom Several people turned out for the Hope Challenge youth event at the CCC on Saturday, March 1st! Students in grades 6-12 from the Cattaraugus territory attended as well as a group from Tuscarora and Lockport! There was a 3v3 basketball contest, foul shot contest, bar bell hanging contest, and dodgeball. Gift cards were awarded to the winners. Buffalo-native rapper, NYS trooper, and born-again Christian, Demetrius Garrett (aka Whoz Meech) held the kids’ attention (and the adults) with his rap lyrics and encouraging words. You can google his name and also find his music on

2025 CCA Annual Soup Fundraiser

Connecting Communities in Action will hold its annual soup fundraiser offering ready-to-eat to-go soups prepared by local chefs and restaurants. The Soup Fundraiser will be Wednesday, March 19th, from 10 am - 2 pm at CCA, 25 Jefferson Street, Salamanca, New York. Takeout sizes include 12oz for $5 (3 for $12) or 24oz for $10 (3 or $25). Grab some for lunch; grab some for dinner! Each purchase of a $25 combo will receive a free 12oz soup of their choice, while supplies last. All soups are being prepared by local chefs. Participating restaurants include West Rose, Dupers, Ellicottville Brewing

Tobacco Treatment Specialist Training Program

When discussing tobacco treatment, it is important to recognize its commercialization and how it has changed the traditional use of tobacco. Participating in this training helps us reclaim our traditional practices by learning about effective treatments for tobacco dependence, and ultimately how to support our communities. This program is fully accredited by the Council for Tobacco Training Programs, making it the first accredited site of its kind in New York State. Scholarships are available for qualified candidates! Click the link below to apply/register or scan the QR code in the flyer with your phone camera. https://ccnypsych.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_40LpbR3KwbcPtcy

Youth Smoke Dance Special

Save the Date: Saturday, March 15th Join Agwadeyësta’ Do:gë:h at the Allegany Community Center on Saturday, March 15th for a Youth Smoke Dance Special from 1pm-3pm. Registration opens at NoonGrand Entry at 1pmRegistration at the door$5 per dancerTiny Tots, Pre-teens, and Teens For more information, contact Candace Miller at 716-532-8336. See flyer for details:

Daylight Saving Time 2025

Clocks spring forward on March 9 Daylight saving time (DST) starts at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 9, 2025. This means we lose an hour of sleep but gain an extra hour of daylight in the evening. To stay ahead, move manually controlled clocks forward before heading to bed on Saturday night, March 8. Your cell phone will take care of the time change itself.

NCAI

Leading up to President Macarro’s State of Indian Nations speech during last week’s ECWS, NCAI Youth Council co-presidents Madison Brown (Seneca Nation) and Angelina Serna (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and the Oneida Nation) delivered a powerful speech urging the leaders of Indian Country to support Native youth and ensure their voices are uplifted and heard. Our youth shapes the world we will live in tomorrow. Their eagerness to make our world a better place reminds us that our work today isn’t just for the now—it’s for their generation and the seven generations to come. “We must ensure that our leaders, our