Submitted by Donald “Flip” White
Nya:wëh sgë:nö’ swagwe:goh,
Agwadeyësta’ Do:gë:h (We learn together), would like to extend an invitation to everyone to attend our monthly meetings; they are open to the public. Our next regularly scheduled meeting is 12/20/20 from 10 am to 12 noon at the Ganöhsesge:kha He:nödeyë:stha Annex. For your reference, our monthly meetings are scheduled on the third Sunday of every month, same time, and location. We will be publishing meeting reminders in the Seneca Nation Newsletter.
In addition to conducting formal business, we are attempting to learn the language necessary to conduct our meetings in Onöndowa:ga:’ Gawënö. Yes, it is challenging but we are having fun learning relevant phrases and vocabulary. We encourage everyone to become involved in a language learning project; try something small and at home, something you are comfortable with. Revitalization begins with the first learned word or phrase. Talk to those who are learning and speaking, I am sure they will share their story of how they got started. As we say, “We learn together.”
We have some new individuals who have become involved in our organization. We would like to welcome Marilyn Schindler and Dianna Beaver who have stepped forward and now serve on our Advisory Board. And Kelly Spruce along with Keely Watt now serve on our Board of Directors. We are fortunate to have them. Each brings a passion and the experience to solidify and strengthen our efforts on behalf of the language.
For those who may not be aware, Nearly New, Agwadeyësta’ Do:gë:h’s retail operation is open on Fridays 12 to 6 pm and Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm. We offer brand new and gently used merchandise at prices which are on the side of ‘unbelievable.’ We have Corn Soup and Frybread sales every second and fourth Saturday of every month. Whose that one cook on TV who used to say, “Oh, its sooo good.”
Nearly New continues to evolve. Currently we are preparing our Holiday display of seasonal merchandise. There is a deal for everyone, come on down if you get the chance. We are located at 197 Center Street in Edna’s Grab & Go plaza in Salamanca. All merchandise is donated, our staff is all volunteer, and revenues go to support language revitalization.
We do take donations. If interested in dropping off merchandise, please call Darlene Miller at 716-378-9818 or Michael Schindler at 716-390-7270 or Flip White at 716-244-0431, we will do our best to arrange a drop off at your convenience.
We are extending an invitation to all crafters and artists who want to sell your crafts at the store, just give us a call and we will set you up. Our organization is investing back into the community and this consignment offer is another way we do that.
Work continues on the Sugar Shack. The Sugar Shack has been an idea for some time and now it is coming to fruition. A huge shout out goes to Gakwi:yo:h Farms who recently donated their former Sugar Shack building and used equipment to FKS!! The Farm will be buying new equipment and facilities to expand their own maple operations.
Our community continuously amazes us with their generosity and support. Hats off to the Farm; they are doing some amazing work! We are forever grateful.
Hard maples have been planted on the FKS campus by the Annex building. Their development will take time and we’ll need more. If anyone has maple trees the school could use to tap next spring, please contact Agwadeyësta’ Do:gë:h board member Michael Schindler at 716-390-7270.
When completed this project will provide a multi-learning experience for FKS students in culture, ceremony, regeneration, medicinal, and language benefits to name a few. It will also provide revenue for the school’s effort to become self-sustaining.
That is all for now. We have two huge announcements to make in our next Nation Newsletter article. Stay tuned. Please utilize all the language resources out there, lots of good people doing good things on behalf of the language. Everything becomes more meaningful when we do it as a community.
Enjoy the holidays, stay safe, and please do what you can to help others. Nya:wëh!
