‘Game Day’ Hosted by the Seneca Language Department
Submitted by Sherisse John
Language Success Stories. Confidence, identity, dedication and interconnectedness builds through our language reclamation efforts. Language reclamation is the active, community-led process of reviving and reasserting indigenous or marginalized languages that have been suppressed or endangered by colonization and assimilation.
The language community continues to expand with these interactive opportunities. This past month Seneca Language Teacher Support and Community Outreach (SLTSCO) hosted a Game Day located at the back entrance of the Seneca Arts and Learning Center, located in Salamanca, NY.
This space allowed different departments such as Deadiwënöhsnye’s Gëjohgwa’ ; SLTSCO ; Stanley “Sully” Huff Heritage Center and even our relatives from the Tonawanda Seneca Nation’s language program to converse, play and just BE in our language.
While all of us are hard at work, determined to revitalize the Seneca Language it’s important to have fun during the process. Our ancestors endured unimaginable losses and it is all of our responsibility to uphold as much of who we are in honor of their sacrifices.
“Ögwadä’swi:yo:h ögwagëhji’da’ ökiyëönya:nih ögwawë:no’ ahsöh. Oiowa:nëh ne’hoh ögwadiwa:de’ aedwaiwasdis. Ëyögwa’nigöe’hasde:k hëyo’dëöje’ o:ëdö:gwah”
“We’re fortunate to have our elders still teaching us our language. It’s a great responsibility we ought to pay attention to. We will continue to keep a strong mind into the future.”
All the different cohorts mingled at the tables with several options for games to play while staying in the Seneca Language throughout the day. There was no set target proficiency required but everyone that participated also partakes in a program or department that works towards fluency in Seneca Language. That means everyone shares the same goal in mind, aiming to speak our indigenous language.
This is transformation!!
Language learning is an endurance sport, and we all need a little encouragement along the way. We look forward to creating more spaces where Seneca Language is being spoken and shared. We all need reminders to be gentle with ourselves.. it’s not about what we don’t know how to say but using what we do know as often as we can.
Don’t let the fear of making mistakes keep you from learning your language. We are only human. Nya:wëh to everyone who could make it out!!
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”
