Salamanca City Central School Indigenous Parent Committee (IPC)
By Tami Watt, Title VI Chair
The Title VI Committee is dedicated to the advancement of our people through the education and the preservation of our traditions, values, customs and the well-being of our families.
The Title VI Committee on the Allegany Territory currently works with the Salamanca City Central School District (SCCSD) and the Seneca Nation Education Department to service Indigenous students with educational and support services.
The committee works with the SCCSD and the community to submit a grant proposal to the Federal government each year for approval. These funds are used for field trips, guest speakers, and travel in an effort to enhance and enrich academic opportunities for Indigenous students.
Mrs. Rachael Wolfe, Seneca language and history teacher, and her students enjoy yearly field trips to Ganondagan, Old Fort Niagara, Kinzua Dam, and Cornplanter. These sites are historically significant, educational, and culturally relevant for our students to learn about Hodinöshö:ni people as well the back ground of the state of New York.
Guest speakers such as Joseph Brusac (Author), Perry Ground (Storyteller), Bill Crouse (Dancer, singer, artist), Dr.Darryl Tonemah Ph.D (Counseling and Psychology) have lent their support, guidance, and talent to all students K-12. Dr. Tonemah works with both staff and students to provide tools to deal with trauma. In the past, Senecas in professional capacities have been invited to come in and share their experiences and career paths to intrigue the next generation. Jeremy John, Propulsion Engineer, has presented in the past as well as Linda Thomas, FBI Agent, and Annabelle Bowen, ASU- Director of American Indian Initiatives.
Some support staff that work directly with students and families fall under the Title IV budget. The SCCSD provides each Indigenous family with a support worker that serves as the liaison between the school and the family to provide specific resources to aid in the students’ success. The Family Liaisons work with the Native American Program Coordinator to ensure services are meeting student needs. The Title VI also funds a social worker at the elementary level Pre-K-3, the Seneca Youth Council Advisor and the Seneca Youth Dancers Advisor. Family Liaisons and Native American service providers attend the National Indian Education Association each year with travel expenses covered through Title VI funds.
Looking toward the future, the Title VI Committee wants to steer Indigenous students toward avenues of success and enrichment. Last month, the committee discussed encouraging our youth toward programs like the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) that host annual conferences, provide scholarships, and programs for schools with specific projects like Computer Science for Native Girls and also Robotics and STEM related curricula. If a specific amount of Native students are interested programs, the SCCSD can apply to become a partner of AISES.
If you are interested in advancing the educational opportunities and support services for Indigenous students attending the Salamanca City Central School District, the Title VI Committee meets every month on the second Wednesday of each month in- person at the Salamanca High School in the Large Group Instruction room with a zoom link available on the SCCSD Facebook page the day of the meeting, except for August 2021. The Title VI Committee will hold the monthly meeting on August 25th following the “Welcome Back” picnic at the Salamanca High School in the Large Group Instruction room.
Elections for officers will be held at the next meeting. If you would like to run for a position on the committee or know someone who would like to be involved, please attend the August 25th meeting at 7pm at the Salamanca High School.
If you are an Indigenous student that is not receiving services, please reach out to Michala Redeye at MRedeye@salamancany.org or 716-945-2404 Ext 6004 (office) 716-307-5924 (cell).
