For Contributions to Native Education
October 23, 2023 | By Kellen Quigley | oleantimesherald.com
Photo: Members of the Salamanca City Central School District’s Native American Curriculum Team accept the William Demmert Cultural Freedom Award during this year’s National Indian Education Association convention, pictured alongside Councillor Arlene Bova.
Albuquerque, N.M. — The Salamanca City Central School District won the William Demmert Cultural Freedom Award during this year’s National Indian Education Association (NIEA) convention October 19th in Albuquerque.
This award recognizes and honors individuals and organizations, who have made significant contributions to the education of American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian people. Their leadership, passion and dedication for improving education stand as a testimony to the power and potential of all Native students and serve to inspire new generations of educators.
Seneca Language teacher Rachael Wolfe, surrounded and supported by many Native American Service Providers from Salamanca, accepted the award on behalf of the district. Wolfe spoke about the changes she has witnessed in the district as an alumni and Seneca Language teacher.
Wolfe recalled her early memories as a student in Seneca School when a small group of Native students were brought to the basement once every six-day cycle to learn Onöndowa’ga Gawë:nö to today where Seneca language can be heard and seen throughout all the buildings and in many classrooms.
Wolfe expressed her gratitude to the district for creating a place that provides social services, tutoring, counseling and family liaisons to indigenous students. She mentioned that all students can take Seneca language and Seneca history courses and will likely learn some indigenous history and culture in other classes while teachers and the Native American Curriculum Team work to integrate indigenous history and culture into all New York State curriculum.
