September 28,2026 | Submitted by Chelce Finch, SALC Director
Jill & Lacey Represent Our Early Childhood Programs in Washington, D.C.
We are proud to recognize Jill Newark, SALC Preschool Lead Teacher, and Lacey John, ECLC Family Support Services, who were selected to travel with the Bay Mills Community College ECE HOPE team to Washington, D.C.
While there, Jill and Lacey joined other early childhood students from across Indian Country, met with representatives from the Office of Head Start and Tribal Colleges and Universities, and took part in conversations around culture, leadership, education, and the early childhood workforce.
This is the third year in a row that staff from our early childhood programs have represented the Seneca Nation through this opportunity.
Jill and Lacey continue to show what it looks like to invest in yourself while also giving back to the children, families, and programs you serve. We are proud of both of you and grateful for the way you represented SALC, ECLC, and the Seneca Nation.
Taking Seneca Nation, Seneca Arts and Learning Center’s (SALC), Work to a National Stage
Chelce Finch, Director of SALC & Tribal Home Visiting (THV); Mary Ann Dusza, THV Coordinator; and Graham Logan, Gakwi:yo:h Farms Project Assistant, recently represented the Seneca Nation at the 2026 Native Communities Home Visiting Meeting in San Diego.
Together, they presented “From the Land to the Next Seven Generations: Advancing Food Sovereignty and Family Wellness Through Tribal Programs and Partnerships.”
Their session shared how early childhood, Tribal Home Visiting, and Gakwi:yo:h Farms are connecting culture, traditions, family wellness, and community partnerships in ways that support children and families whilst thinking about the generations still to come.
It was a great opportunity to share the work happening here at home with Tribal programs from across the country and to highlight what is possible when our departments work together.
Sharing Our Tribal Early Learning Initiative (TELI) Journey
Chelce Finch, Director of SALC & THV, also had the opportunity to co-present with Administration for Children & Families (ACF) TELI Program Specialist and Riverside San Bernardino County Indian Health Director, on “Building Tribal Early Childhood Systems: Home Visiting as the Foundation for Coordinated, Culturally Grounded, Family-Led Systems.”
Chelce shared how the Seneca Nation, Seneca Arts and Learning Center, TELI work has helped bring programs together and strengthen services for children and families. As a second cohort TELI recipient, SALC’s journey has come full circle. During the first cohort, SALC spent four years learning, identifying gaps, building stronger partnerships and strengthening its early childhood system. Now in the second cohort SALC has taken on a mentor role sharing lessons learned and supporting other tribal communities as they build and strengthen their own systems.
It was another opportunity to share the SALC’s story, learn from other Tribal communities, and bring new ideas home to continue strengthening the work we are doing for our children and families.
