Seneca women are fierce. We are fierce protectors, leaders and defenders. A society based on matrilineal lineage; Seneca mothers were the foundation of their communal villages and generational longhouses for centuries. We are keepers of our clans, hold the right to name leaders, cultivators and land bearers with the power to influence political and diplomatic endeavors. As agricultural experts, women influenced economy and trade from vast acres of corn and yields from bountiful harvests. Our rugged natural way of life fashioned us to be fierce but loving. Our women continue to lead us and the next seven generations with dignity, pride and love.
PAST – Education & Culture
Michele “Midge” Dean Stock (b.1950-d.2006) was a multi-talented educator, artist, performer, director, professor, writer and traditional basket maker. Today, her Seneca nursery rhymes are still heard through the hallways of Seneca Nation preschools. Her impact has not been forgotten. Born in 1950 on the Allegany Territory, Midge was the youngest of 3 siblings born to Hazel Dean.
With a Masters in Education and a Bachelors in Music, Michele played many roles in the education of her people. She was a Seneca Nation official and educator and made many recordings and videos to help preserve our language. She was a college professor at Jamestown Community College & St. Bonaventure University, as well as Education Director for the Seneca Nation for nearly 6 years. She served as a delegate on the White House conference on Indian Education and developed curriculum materials for native peoples.
Her museum experience included employment at the Museum of the American Indian – Heye Foundation, (now the National Museum of the American Indian,) and managed the Seneca – Iroquois National Museum in its early years. She was a staunch supporter of cultural preservation, and of the dire need to present accurate, non-stereotypical information on her culture to non-Natives; especially to teachers who influence young minds. She attempted to restore the nearly lost art of Iroquois splint basketry to the Seneca communities. She presented at the Smithsonian Institution, NMAI and MAI, the New York State Museum, and many other professional venues, and served on the Board of Trustees of the Rochester Museum and Science Center and Western New York Nature Conservancy.
Buried at Hillside Haven. She was an enrolled member of the Seneca Nation of Indians/Wolf Clan.
PRESENT – Language & Culture
Ja:nos—Janine Bowen is a member of the Beaver clan of the Seneca Nation and a Faith Keeper at the Coldspring Longhouse. She has centered her career on Seneca language revitalization efforts. In 2002, she began teaching Seneca language and culture to elementary and junior high school students on the Allegany Territory of the Seneca Nation. In 2007, Ja:no’s became a Seneca language Instructor for Buffalo State College. In 2015, she took the role of Allegany Language Director.
Ja:no’s received an Ed.M. from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education, as well as an M.P.P. from the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government. In 2020, Ja:no’s started her path back to the field of education and began coursework for an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership.
“My goal is to merge my talents to support indigenous students in their journey to become successful individuals, capable of overcoming the unique challenges Native peoples face as they learn to walk in two worlds.”
FUTURE – Law & Education
Alyana Jimerson is a member of the Wolf Clan from Steamburg, NY, daughter of Shannon and Dustin Jimerson and Jarid John. Alyana received her bachelor’s degree in Indigenous Studies from Syracuse University under the Haudenosaunee Scholarship Program. From there she attended and graduated from Michigan State University College of Law and joined the Native American Law Student Association. Alyana passed the NYS bar exam last year. Her dream is to work at the federal level of Indian Law to make the most impact across Turtle Island and work toward the betterment of Seneca people.
Alyana credits the Seneca Nation Vision 20/20 program and the Seneca Nation Council Office internship for providing the opportunity to meet with lawmakers, State Representatives and engage with individuals that inspired her to major in Indigenous Studies and head to law school.
Alyana is currently pursing an opportunity with a law firm in southwest Indian country.
“Senecas are a strong Nation, we are strong people. Growing up and hearing that my whole life at home and then hearing that out again in Indian Country shaped who I am and gave me the confidence I needed. Growing up on territory also gave me insight and understanding of the challenges we face as Native people with our Treaties, land and rights.”
FUTURE – Health & Stem
Alyson Brown is a young an upcoming Seneca leader and mother. A descendant of the Red House and Onoville pre-kinzua communities, with her paternal grandma being Pauline John (Redeye) and maternal grandma Shirley Heron (Crouse).
Her passions include advocating and being a voice for marginalized populations. She has experience in victim advocacy, youth drug and alcohol prevention work, and is the newly employed Health Planner at the Seneca Nation Health System. She actively seeks opportunities to occupy space in areas where Indigenous Women have historically and systematically been unheard. She has received her Bachelors of Science in Community Health from Arizona State University and is working on her graduate studies to further her research on the intersection between Education and Health outcomes, through an Indigenous lens.
Her interests in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) field have lead her to be selected as a mentor in the American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES) newly established Indigenous Womxn in STEM program. She is also a founding board member and project manager for local community non-profit, Cousin Brownie. Her work in this sector is aimed at fostering a sense of community across Seneca Nation Territories by providing mutual aid and creating opportunities for pro-social engagement, with the most recent initiative being a community garden located in Jimersontown.
PAST – Language & Culture
Helen Beaver (b.1926-d.2020) also known as Akso:dgëö’ was an icon, the most recognizable face on the Cattaraugus Territory. Everyone knew her and called her Akso:d (Grandmother). Serving as a Foster Grandparent for 25+ years at the Seneca Nation Early Childhood Learning Center Helen shared the rich language & culture with young students, teachers & the community.
Helen was a Faithkeeper of the Newtwon Longhouse and always encouraged learning and speaking the language and was very generous with sacred ancestral knowledge, some thought it was taboo, but it was very necessary. Her efforts and love of language live on. She loved walks and talking about the “ol’ days”.
Often seen on field trips picking apples or at the pumpkin patch. Always sweet & gentle with children and the staff adored her. She made everyone feel safe and loved.
Helen was turtle clan and is buried at her family home on the Cattaraugus Territory.
PAST – Health & Politics
Winifred “Wini” Alice Kettle (b.1925-d.1990) was enrolled at Tunesassa Friends School at the age of 11 in 1936. She went on to Gowanda High School, where she graduated in 1943. From there she attended Haskell Institute and received a degree in commercial business. Wini started her career with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in both Buffalo, NY and Chicago, IL. She later returned to college to study stenography and was employed by several Buffalo law firms.
With a highly organized group of Seneca woman, Wini established two modern Indian Health Services facilities at the Allegany and Cattaraugus Indian Reservations and designated Lionel John, later President of the Seneca Nation, as their spokesman. Family members recall her encouraging them to fight for what they believe in, which left a lasting influence and respect for her hard work and dedication to our Nation.
Wini attended political meetings with Seneca leaders as well as leaders from other Hodinoshoni Nations and also state and federal representatives to discuss the health and welfare of our people. She was one of the few women present at these meetings which led to her policital career during the 60’s.
Starting her political career in 1968, Wini was the first SNI female Clerk, Surrogate Judge and Councillor. She dedicated 22 years to the Seneca Nation as coordinator of the WIC program, Fall Festival chairwoman, editor of the “Si-Wong-Geh”, and co-editor of the Seneca Nation Official Newsletter, board member of AOA, library trustee and research clerk. Today, the Area of Aging facility in Cattaraugus is named in her honor. She has been honored posthumously various times during historic Seneca Nation events.
Miss Kettle was also an elder of Wright Memorial Church and taught the Sunday school program. She was president of the Iroquois Women’s Temperance Organization.
She was the daughter of Francis and Theresa Marguerite (Lay) Kettle. Miss Kettle was wolf clan and is buried at United Missions.
PRESENT – Health & EMS
Michele Redeye began her journey into the Emergency Services field by joining the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation Volunteer Fire Department. For 2 years she, learned and trained to become a Certified firefighter.
Two years later in 2013, she received her NYS EMT certification. This certification allowed her to prosper as an EMT on a Paramedic Ambulance for Gowanda. She gained invaluable knowledge and experience in EMS. By 2014, Michele gained the confidence she needed to take on the role of EMS Chief for CIRVFD/Seneca Fire. She spent the next 8 years as EMS Chief and has been able to take part of Seneca EMS growth.
In 2019, Seneca EMS was established as an Advanced life support agency which finally transitioned into a Paramedic agency. Michele now oversees Seneca EMS on both Territories of the Seneca Nation. Cattaraugus and Allegany Territory have primary crews operating 24/7. As her position as EMS Chief of CIRVFD / Seneca Fire evolved, she then became Chief of Operations for Seneca EMS.
Michele is furthering her education at Columbia Southern University in Emergency Services. We all find ways to give back to our community, emergency medical service has always been hers.
“I have always felt that if you can’t find a purpose, find your passion”.
FUTURE – Politics & Art
Olivia Maybee is a queer multimedia contemporary artist, organizer, and political activist from the Cattaraugus Territory. Daughter of Nicole and JC Seneca and granddaughter of Jean and Peter Maybee.
Olivia has graduated from Adelphi University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Studio Art. Within the art world Olivia is known for her documentary film photography, murals, narrative photoshoots/videos, and non-traditional multimedia Indigenous art works.
Her goal as an artist is to create influence and change within NYS and beyond using art. Olivia is also known within the Seneca Nation for lobbying and passing LGBTQ2S+ inclusive legislation within tribal government and creating the first queer SNI flag… those flags are now being flown on all territories for the month of June, also known as Pride Month.
Here are a few throwbacks of Seneca women as employees, artists, mothers, dancers, professionals and future leaders among many things. These photos are from former editor Rovena Abrams’ collection over the 30+years she served our community.
