By James Crane, Digital Media Developer, Allegany Language Department
On May 15th, 2025, the Tannenbaum Lodge at Holiday Valley in Ellicottville, N.Y. became a place of reconnection, purpose, and hope. The 1st Annual Seneca Language Summit brought together over 60 language teachers, educators, and supporters from across different territories in New York and Canada. The event was hosted by the Allegany Language Department, with Derise Whitcomb serving as the Event Coordinator. Sponsors of the event included Agwadeyësta’ Do:gëh (We Learn Together) and Deadiwënöhsnye’s Gëjohgwa’ (Seneca Immersion Group).
One of the highlights of the summit was an Opening Address/Gaedzëönyök (encouragement) from keynote speaker Leroy “Jock” Hill of Six Nations. Jock Hill is a Gaiwi:yo:h Preacher from the Cayuga Nation, and is known for his decades of work as a cultural bearer in the longhouse, as well as a user and promoter of Hodinöhsö:nih languages. Hill reminded attendees that to overcome our challenges of the past, it’s important to have Ga’nígö:iyo:h (a good mind). Hill said, “To have peace, and peace of mind, and good mindedness, at the same time you have to also respect others, and you also have to care for others. All those things come with learning language, you got to weave that in. You got to weave that into your teachings and whatever you are doing”.
Damian Webster, Honöta:önih Hënödeyësdahgwa’ program director for the Tonawanda Seneca Nation served as the master of ceremonies, and offered these words for those in attendance: “Don’t settle. Don’t settle, because we are not there yet, but we have positive momentum.”
The Summit served as a platform for different territories to showcase their unique approaches to language acquisition/revitalization. From community workshops, school-based language programs, immersion classrooms, and online teaching/digital tools, individuals were able to share with others their successes from their experience. It was clear that the methods were diverse, but the goals were all the same; to create more Seneca language speakers.
Brainstorming ensued during the second half of the summit, with attendees working together to try and find new ways to expand language use in their communities. One key theme was that “time is not on our side”. In a world where so many indigenous languages face extinction, the Seneca Language Summit was a powerful reminder: Language is a living thing, and our language is still alive. As long as the community keeps gathering, teaching, and speaking in the language, Seneca language will continue to grow and thrive.
