Seneca, Onondaga groups gather at WVDP for Earth Day

May 10, 2022 | salamancapress.com WEST VALLEY — The Cattaraugus Creek Water Walkerz and Onondowaga’ Water Protectors began this year’s Earth Day event at the West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP) in Ashford. This annual Earth Day event pays tribute to Mother Earth and brings attention to the importance of protecting the Cattaraugus Creek and Lake Erie watershed for future generations. The WVDP is an appropriate starting point due to its proximity to the Nation Territory and ongoing cleanup efforts to reduce environmental risks. Walkers from the Seneca Nation, local community and visitors gathered to participate in a sunrise ceremony to kickoff the event. “Water is

Nearly New Boutique adds large Native New section

By Kellen M. Quigley | May 8, 2022 | salamancapress.com | Photo credit: Deb Everts, Salamanca Press Photo above: The Nearly New, Native New store has a vibrant new look as shown by the wall mural. SALAMANCA — Nearly New Boutique has evolved into something more and keeps growing. Located at 197 Center St. in the Center Street Plaza, Native New has recently been added and occupies half of the shop. The store is owned by Agwadeyësta’ Do:gë:h, “We learn together” in Seneca, a nonprofit group of community volunteers dedicated to revitalizing the Seneca language and culture. The majority of proceeds

Congratulations Alyana!

Submitted by Lesley Zurek Ja:goh Alyana Leighann Jimerson, (Allegany Territory, Seneca Wolf clan), graduated on May 13, 2022 with her Juris Doctor from Michigan State University College of Law. She is the daughter of Shannon (Dustin) George and Jared John. Alyana is the granddaughter of Judy and the late Ronald D. Jimerson, Marilyn and Chad George and Nancy and Steve Frank. Alyana also received an Indigenous Law Certificate from MSU Law’s Indigenous Law and Policy Center, a nationally recognized program. She served on MSU’s Native American Law Students Association (NALSA) Executive Board and on the National NALSA Executive Board. Alyana served as a

Congratulations Elias Fox Schmidt!

Submitted by David Bova Elias Fox Schmidt, grandson of David Bova, graduated from the University of Buffalo School of Law with a Juris Doctor. He won the Lavender Gavel award for leadership in the LGBTQ community and was inducted into the order of the Coif, which is an academic honor society denoting top 10% of class. He graduated with a 3.93 out of 4.0 GPA. He was President and founder of the Native & Indigenous Law Student Association. He was selected for a Reproductive Justice Fellowship with If/When/How and will be working at Spark Reproductive Justice Now in Atlanta, GA starting

New Board of Education Members

Ja:goh to all the candidates that ran and those that won a seat on the following Districts Board of Education: Gowanda District - John Y. Waterman, Jr.: elected with 197 votes and Barbara Weston: elected with 191 votes. Salamanca City - Donald (Flip) White: elected with 199 votes, will serve a term beginning May 18, 2022-June 30, 2023. Pine Valley - Josh Howard: Re-elected with 138 votes, sitting until 2025. Barbara Weston & John Waterman, Jr.Donald "Flip" WhiteJosh Howard

Ja:goh Mason Snyder!

National Junior Honor Society Inductee Photo credit: Mason's family Ja:goh Mason Snyder, son of Megan Torres and Shadow Snyder of Cattaraugus Territory. Mason was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society at Lake Shore Middle School. Mason maintains his grades as well as participating in various sports in and outside of school. Congratulations and keep striving Mason!

Food Truck Vendors Needed

Do you own or operate a Food Truck? Do you work with a Food Truck? Do you love a special Food Truck? Let us know. Now forming calendars for Food Truck Fridays.

NO EMPTY CHAIR: Prom Safety Event

Gowanda High School Rebekah Moraites, Gowanda High School Principal along with Gowanda High School hosted a NO EMPTY CHAIR: Prom Safety Event during the school day on Thursday, May 12, 2022. Prom is an exciting event, and GHS wants to ensure that their students prioritize health and safety during prom season. This event specifically was held to prevent and to educate adolescents on the consequences of texting while driving and the consequences of drinking while driving.Cattaraugus County Deputy Shields, Gowanda P.D Officers Fitzpatrick & Kehr, Seneca Fire, Seneca EMS, Gowanda F.D. and Gowanda Special Ops recreated an accident scene and performed an

EPD Donating Trees

Seneca Nation EPD is donating 50 Eastern White Pine Trees to the Community In celebration of Arbor Day, the Seneca Nation EPD is giving away Eastern White Pine Trees to the community, encouraging you to plant them for this secular day of observance. Email the Environmental Protection Department at epd@sni.org with subject line "Arbor Day," and include your name, phone number, and address. For Earth Month

UB Pathway Summer Program

For High School Students Submitted by Dean Seneca & Councillor Tina Abrams UB's School of Public Health and Health Professions is offering the Pathways Academy to introduce public health and the health professions to rising 12th grade students of color. This program is free for all attendees, w/the option to receive 1 college credit. See flyer below for details: Pathways Academy

Watch D.O.G.S. Newest Member

Jordan Cooke Pictured here are Mara and Phoenix Cooke with the newest member of J.T. Waugh's Watch D.O.G.S.: their dad, Jordan, who teaches Seneca language and coaches lacrosse at the High School. To learn more about joining the Waugh Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students), contact the school at716-926-2370.

Introducing Joanne Israel,

finalist for the 2022 ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award thepartnership.org For more than 30 years, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership has been honored to produce the annual ATHENA Awards® to support, develop, and honor women leaders in Western New York. The Buffalo Niagara Partnership is pleased to introduce you to 1 of 10 finalists in the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award® category – Joanne Israel, V.P./Assistant General Manager – Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, Niagara Falls, NY. Meet ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award® Finalist: Joanne Israel Joanne Israel is V.P./Assistant General Manager at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls, NY. She has held various