Dr. Tassy Parker Promoted to Distinguished Professor at the University of New Mexico

Dr. Tassy Parker, PhD, RN, an enrolled citizen of the Seneca Nation and member of the Beaver Clan, has been promoted to the rank of Distinguished Professor at the University of New Mexico, effective June 24, 2026. The honor recognizes Dr. Parker’s outstanding contributions to Indigenous health, public health, medical education, research, and service to Native communities. She is the first American Indian to be promoted to the rank of Distinguished Professor at the UNM Health Sciences/School of Medicine. According to Dr. Barbara Rodriguez, UNM Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Parker was "among a select group

Six Nations Agricultural Society CALL FOR ARTIST SUBMISSIONS

Cattaraugus Chapter Rules and regulations Entries in this department close on August 24th and should be transferred by the respective chairperson. Competition is open to all Haudenosaunee and their families of New York for material grown or made by the exhibitor, properly tagged with name, territory, and post office address. Items should be handed in to your VP or designated transportation person on your territory. The right to exhibit shall be determined by the board of each territory. All exhibits must be ready at opening of the fair at 10:00 A.M. on August 26th, 2026, and remain through the fair. Protest on awards must be

Roswell Park Recognized by National Foundation for Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Efforts

[June 15, 2026 | Reposted from Roswellpark.org] Buffalo cancer center hosts tour for Prevent Cancer Foundation’s Congressional Families® Program, elected officials. BUFFALO, N.Y. — Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center welcomed representatives from the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s Congressional Families® Program, along with U.S. Representatives Tim Kennedy and Jim McGovern and a representative of the Seneca Nation of Indians, for a special visit recognizing Roswell Park’s leadership in cancer prevention, screening, early detection and community outreach. Roswell Park was honored in April with the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s prestigious Carolyn “Bo” Aldigé Visionary Award, recognizing Roswell Park’s leadership and measurable impact in advancing cancer prevention and

Community Spotlight: Chef Lorinda John

Lorinda John. A cultural creative, culinary historian, and chef rooted in storytelling through food. I carry Seneca heritage, and my work is guided by the understanding that food is memory, identity, and connection. I am from Western New York and currently reside in the region, where I continue to build community through food, education, and creative expression. I come from a lineage of strength and resilience, and I honor my family—those before me and those I am raising—through the work that I do. Education I earned my Culinary Arts degree from Erie Community College and went on to receive my Bachelor’s

RAJ Publications Has Released Two New Books

Available at www.lulu.comOnöndowa'ga:' (Seneca) Band Music by Randy A. John and Rodney Haring This book is the first publication to focus on Onöndowa'ga:' Cornet Bands and Music in Native Boarding Schools. Gary Farmer wrote the forward. Seneca children learned American music in the missionary, state, and federal schools they attended (Tunesassa, the Thomas Indian School, and Carlisle Industrial Indian School). As adults some Senecas organized Cornet Bands and played locally, regionally, and a few nationally. The second part of the book provides an illustrated tribute to Seneca Musicians in the schools and as adults. The Seneca Cornet bands provided social bonds and

Before America Turned 250, This Victor Historic Site was Already Home To Centuries Of Seneca History

[Reposted from News10NBC | Author: Garrett Chan News10NBC | Published: June 24, 2026] VICTOR, N.Y. — A historic site in the town of Victor holds stories dating centuries before the United States was born. News10NBC’s Garrett Chan visited the Ganondagan Historic Site to learn more. Ganondagan, also known as the Town of Peace, is the 17th century home of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and Seneca people. The community, rich with raw materials, traded with Europeans. But in 1687, French forces destroyed the town. “At the time, it was just Seneca territory, but they had an interest in removing Seneca people because their eyes were

AMERICA 250: How The Haudenosaunee Shaped America’s Democracy

[Excerpt from ICT News Article by Amelia Schafer | Published June 1, 2026 | Full article @ https://ictnews.org/news/america-250-how-the-haudenosaunee-shaped-americas-democracy/] More than 270 years ago, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy showed America’s founding fathers just what they’d been looking for – an example of a thriving democracy where distinct communities could remain sovereign yet united under one government. Benjamin Franklin, one of the core founding fathers, immersed himself in learning about how six different Indigenous nations – the Oneida, Onondaga, Mohawk, Seneca, Cayuga and Tuscarora – had sustained the oldest continuous democracy in the world. What the Haudenosaunee showed Franklin during his years of research played a

Congratulations to all the 2026 Graduates

Congratulations to all of 2026 Graduates! Here are photos of the Graduates from the local public schools surrounding the Seneca Nation Territories, Gowanda High School, Lake Shore Senior High School, Silver Creek High School, and Salamanca High School. Caias John delivered the Ganönyo:k address at Lake Shore’s graduation. Senior Amirya Warrior delivered the Ganönyo:k address, and senior Hailie Rybij gave words of Encouragement—both in Onöndowa'ga:' Gawë:nö' (Seneca Language). Ja:goh to all of our incredible Seneca graduates. [Images pulled from Seneca Media & Communications, Salamanca City School Districts, Gowanda Central Facebook Pages]

Silver Creek Students Take End of the Year Trip to Ganondagan

[Reposted from Silver Creek Central School District | June 17, 2026] Miss. Tahamont's Seneca language students took their end-of-year trip to the original homelands of the Seneca. They met their guide, Ansley Jemison, at the West River, where they kayaked out to Canandaigua Lake. Students learned to work together to paddle, and some enjoyed taking a dip in the lake. They learned that an ancestral site of the Seneca was located at South Hill during the late 1700s. Then they visited Clark's Gully, which is recognized as a site of cultural significance. They ended the day at Ganondagan, where they learned

Woodland Womens Gathering

Community Day Registration is Still Open! Join us on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, for the Woodland Women’s Gathering: Roles & Responsibilities of Woodland Women. Spend the day learning about the history of the Grandmother Dress, the roles and responsibilities of Woodland women, and the traditions of Woodland dancing through teachings, discussion, and community connection. Your $75 registration includes: Sleeve pattern kit 1.5 yards of muslin Tailor’s chalk Pack of pins Pattern hanger 1 metre of pattern paper Pencil Breakfast Lunch Important: Joining our Email Subscriber Community Circle is not the same as registering for our Community Day. If you plan to attend the August 4 gathering, you must complete the registration form and

Congratulations to Sparrow-April Roselee Jones!

[Submitted by Sparrow’s Parents - Thomas & Franchesca Jones] Sparrow is an enrolled Seneca member, Wolf Clan, from the Cattaraugus Territory who received The Lake Shore Central Teachers Association “Student of the Year” Award for the 2025/2026 school year. NYSUT is an organization of educators dedicated to creating a positive, supportive, learning environment and recipients are voted on by teachers. Three students from the Fourth Grade attending A.J. Schmidt Elementary School, Angola, NY, received “Student of the Year” Awards, Sparrow was a homeschooled student and entered public school for fourth grade. Teacher Ms. Langworthy said she worked hard this year, and it

June is Men’s Health Month

In honor of Men's Health Month, the Newsletter will highlight Seneca men in our communities that have contributed to mental and physical health. Historically, Seneca men had a reputation of being fierce warriors with an intimidating military presence in the Northeast. They could run uphill to chase enemies and canoe upriver to get where they needed to be. They were also highly skilled diplomats and traveled as congregations to meetings with America's founding fathers. Seneca men earned the respect of many leaders from all walks of life. Pictured above: Glen Lay at Lacrosee Hall of Fame induction 2019 Glen Lay is the