Elder of the month: January 2025 – Nëhdöwes, Randy John
January 20th, 2025 | By Seneca-Iroquois National Museum | senecamuseum.org/blog/
This January the Onöhsagwë:de’ Cultural Center (OCC) is honored to feature Nëhdöwes, Randy A. John as the first elder of he month of the new year.
Nëhdöwes, Randy A. John, is an enrolled member of the Onöndowa’ga:’ [Seneca Nation], and Hadinyahdë:h [Turtle Clan]. Randy served as Curator previously and now writes and publishes Onöndowa’ga:’ books on Onöndowa’ga:’ history that are featured in our gift shop.
He pursued an associates in liberal arts at Alfred Tech and an undergraduate degree in Psychology, Sociology and Gerontology at Syracuse University. He later achieved a graduate degree in Sociology and Gerontology.
Randy served as the Director of SNI’s Area Office for the Aging, Assistant to the President, and the first director of the Language Program.. Passionate in making Onöndowa’ga:’ history more accessible he compiled and generated a digital library that is still available to visitors of the O.C.C today.
In 2013 Nëhdöwes opened RAJpublications. He has authored 15 books and has helped research and publish other authors’ books. One of his most meaningful projects in publishing the 1933 Jonegano:h (Coldspring) Census and Genealogies (2022). Three new books have been released this past December. You can pick up a copy of his newest releases: Onöndowa’ga:’ (Seneca Nation) in the American Revolution (2024) and Onöhsagwë:de’ Cultural Center Onöndowa’ga:’ Cultural and Historical Insights (2024) by visiting our museum gift shop!
When Nëhdöwes isn’t researching or writing he is a full time Grandfather with his wife Julie to 2-year-old grandson Hudson. They have two children, Chelsea and Brendan.
In former days you could find him on the tennis courts, river fishing or at the golf course, you can likely find him playing billiards at the pool table in local leagues. Last August, he was part of the APA World Championships along with Kelly Waite, David Snow, and Sherri Jimerson.
Randy is a strong supporter the Syracuse Orangemen and the Buffalo Bills. Oneh.
For a full list of Randy’s publications and descriptions of each visit: https://rajpublikations.yolasite.com/
