Note: Pictured below each artist is a copy of their work that was projected onto the iconic grain elevators for the special event at Silo City.

Bill Crouse (Seneca, Hawk Clan) is a self-taught artist. He has made it his life’s work to preserve and celebrate Seneca Culture. He is a Seneca speaker, singer, dancer, and visual artist from the Allegany Reservation. This painting is a portrait of the Great Seneca Chief Cornplanter. The Wolves show his clan. The tomahawk was gifted to him from George Washington and is on display at the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum in Salamanca.

Title: Neowise
Jason Corwin (Seneca, Deer Clan) is executive director of the Seneca Media & Communications Center. He is a documentary filmmaker whose recent feature, Denying Access: NoDAPL to NoNAPL, was featured in several film festivals and streams on their YouTube channel. He especially enjoys nature and astrophotography. IG – @jsun72

Title: Bison Bull
Patrick Redeye (Seneca, Beaver Clan) is a photographer and videographer. He is a Media Content Producer for the Seneca Media & Communications Center and a certified drone pilot.
IG —@patrickredeye

Title: Seneca Lacrosse Warrior
Carson Waterman (Seneca, Snipe Clan) is one of the most renowned artists of the Seneca Nation. His work is featured in murals throughout many buildings on Seneca territory including all three casino and resort locations, as well as extensive exhibitions nationally and internationally. He draws on traditional culture to showcase the richness and beauty of Seneca and Haudenosaunee people.

Title: Clean Lines
Maurice John, Jr. (photography, film, painting) is a Lakota Sioux artist influenced by modern abstract expressionism. He studied film at Pennsylvania State University and has been worked with all forms of media for the Seneca Nation of Indians for 15 years. As a certified FAA Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) pilot he specializes in landscape imagery.
IG – @sharkboyno1

Title: Ready to Pounce
Hayden Haynes (Seneca-Deer Clan) – I aim to create works that are different than what has already been done by Iroquois carvers both past and present. I challenge myself by constantly honing my relief carving skills, my portrait carving skills and by generating new ideas and pieces never before seen in antler carving. Additionally, I am incorporating more and brighter colors into antler work. This is a somewhat foreign idea to antler carving, but in order to advance the art and make what I do unique, it is something I feel good about doing.
IG – @haydens_antler_creations

Title: Spirit Warrior
Robert O’Brien began his artistic studies and woodworking skills at age 9 with his grandfather Snow on the Cattaraugus Territory. Later on this developed into a passion for custom building and painting cars and motorcycles as a multiple award winning customizer. Robert established himself a strong contender in the world of car and motorcycle art. In collaboration with Paul Brinson, Robert’s work on a 66 mustang GT convertible won first place in all of Texas car show in 1986. Other projects have included work on the fastest boat in Texas and a round of special edition custom painted Trans Ams and trucks for a car dealer in Clear Lake, TX. Strong interests of his include custom woodworking and custom lapidary. Robert currently lives in Porter, TX where he enjoys playing guitar and is the Road Captain and Treasurer for an organization that serves first responders and the local community.

Title: Lacrosse Roundup
Bradley Jimerson (Seneca, Heron Clan) studied at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh in the Visual Communications program and has worked in a wide range of industries including newspapers, academia, and advertising. He is currently a Media Content Producer for the Seneca Media & Communications Center specializing in graphic and web design. Brad enjoys working in a many different forms of media from painting and drawing to the digital realm.
IG-@bradesigns_arts

Title: Dancing for the Creator
Frank Ireland (Seneca, Snipe Clan) is a Media Specialist at the Seneca Media & Communications Center. His work is inspired by pop culture and things that catch his eye. His professional and personal work focuses on video editing and photography. He especially likes to do internet mashups.

Title: Round Basket Purse
Penelope S. Minner (Seneca, Turtle Clan)
(Black ash splint basketry, cornhusk work, graphic art, watercolor)
Traditional arts and crafts were commonplace in our household. I learned much from watching them. I also learned a lot about basket making from the cousin, Midge Dean Stock. I feel that through my talents I am able to share their spirit with others to pass on to the next generation and to those who are willing to learn.

Traditional basket making process is time consuming and labor intensive and because of that, many new students find it is not for them.

I have done demonstrations for the Iroquois Indian Museum, the Seneca Nation (various departments), SUNY Fredonia, Fenimore Art Museum, the National Museum of the American Indian Smithsonian in NYC. In 2019, three of my art pieces were acquired for the National Museum of the American Indians permanent collection, a life long dream.

Title: Ha’deyonöhgwa’shä:ge:h
Tami Watt (Seneca, Deer Clan) is the Editor-In-Chief of the Seneca Nation Newsletter and has been a photographer, videographer, and graphic designer for the Seneca Nation for over 16 years. Her work centers around Hodinösho:nih culture and can be seen in the Seneca Iroquois National Museum, the Seneca Arts and Learning Center, the Seneca Allegany Resort and Casino, and in the documentary Denying Access- NoDAPL to NoNAPL. IG – @loco_leggz

Title: Technocratic
ZsaZsa K. (Seneca, Snipe Clan) is a Los Angeles based, female artist, curator [ @galeria.vida ], and filmmaker [ @letheatredart ]. Her experimental silent, black & white, short film, Liberté, is currently showing virtually at the Red Nation Film Festival. She’s a firm believer that actions speak louder than words and therefore sets out to tell stories via films without verbal dialogue (in the footsteps of classic Hollywood’s silent film era). In her spare time, she creates script concepts and storyboards via collage art. Technocratic is a highly symbolic upcoming short film that will explore that idea of humans being controlled by Artificial Intelligence.

Title: The Iroquois Creation Story – Holder of the Heavens Calls Upon Earthquake
G. Peter Jemison (Seneca, Heron Clan). His work is rooted in the framework of Native American art. He is widely and highly regarded for his paintings, videos, and mixed media works, which have been exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions in the U.S., the U.K. and Germany. He is also an esteemed administrator, curator, editor and writer.

Title: Knowledge Carriers (commissioned by the Make Art with Purpose Sylvia Hougland Foundation)
Tahila Mintz – Yaqui. I am an indigenous media maker and ancestral scribe. I create images, still, moving and in VR, to amplify the voices of Indigenous people and the natural world. I also make to bring people joy, connection and for healing trauma.

I create within community, for those communities only, as well as for sharing between communities and with the general public. I am most often found in the Misak community (Cauca, Colombia), my Yaqui community (Sonora, Mexico), and across Haudenosaunee territories (New York and Canada)

I have worked in over 40 countries, apprenticed with Karel Cudlin, studied at FAMU, Prague, CZ, received an MFA from University of Texas, Austin, and taught as a full-time photo faculty member at Texas State University and Central Texas College. IG — @tahilasnap

Seneca Art was projected at Silo City from December 18-20 for drive-in viewing from 5PM-7PM.

For several weeks, renowned Seneca artist and art instructor Carson Waterman has been facilitating an online series of workshops for Seneca artists, the Artists in Business Project, funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts Challenge America program. Mr. Waterman is sharing his knowledge as a successful artist to enable other Seneca artists to promote their work to a larger audience. He is also discussing how Seneca art and artists carry on the cultural legacy of the Seneca Nation and bring that legacy, through their art, to the public. In addition, participants are receiving information about aspects of running an art business. As a culmination of the workshop series, Silo City is joining with the Seneca Nation to stage a very special event. Photos of artworks by the workshop’s participants will be projected on the iconic grain elevators at Silo City, a unique historical and cultural venue on the Buffalo River.

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IRVING — The Seneca Nation’s new president praised the decision Monday by Major League Baseball’s Cleveland franchise to drop its team name, “Indians.”

Team owner Paul Dolan said the name change will be effective in 2022. It follows years of protest that the name and mascot were racially insensitive to Native Americans. The National Football League’s Washington team dropped Redskins before this season without settling on a new name.

“For too long, sports team names, mascots, and imagery that mock, offend, and degrade Native traditions and people have been deemed acceptable in non-Native communities,” Seneca President Matthew Pagels said. “I applaud Cleveland’s baseball franchise for taking steps to right this wrong but regret it has taken more than a century of outcry and protests from Native people to see this moment realized.”

Pagels added, “While this is a significant step in the right direction — as was the decision by Washington’s NFL team to drop its racist name this past July — there is still much more to do, and this presents yet another moment to recognize that.”

Pagels said he hopes that other teams and non-Native organizations and communities, “including local school districts across New York, will take Cleveland’s decision to heart and follow in its footsteps.”

Asked whether local schools, including Salamanca, need to re-examine their school names or mascots, Pagels replied. “The Salamanca Warriors name and mascot do not insult Native traditions, whereas teams that deploy cartoonish mockery do not take into account the definition of a warrior or the true representation of a headdress to our community.”

In an interview with the Associated Press, Dolan noted it was only hours after Washington’s decision that he announced a thorough review of Cleveland’s name. In recent months he met with fans, business leaders and researchers focused on Native American culture and issues.

Dolan told AP those conversations were “both enlightening and challenging.”

He added there’s a delicate balance between moving ahead and looking back.

“We’re not walking away from our past,” he said. “We’ll be the Cleveland Indians of 1915 to whatever year is that we ultimately change. We will always celebrate that. I don’t think we have to ignore it.”

Cleveland’s name change comes on the heels of the team removing the controversial Chief Wahoo logo from its caps and jerseys in 2019.

The team has never stopped selling merchandise bearing the grinning, cartoonish figure, but Dolan said any profits from future sales of Wahoo items will go to Native American organizations or causes supporting Native Americans.

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Help wanted for Full Time Administrative Assistant position.  Looking for applicant to possess an Associate Degree in Office Management/Business Administration or related field.  Must be computer proficient and valid NYS driver’s license.  Native American preference.  Send resumes by 01/15/2021 to: SNIEDC, PO Box 437, Salamanca, NY  14779 or email jonathanzurek@sniedc.org.

Title:  SNIEDC Administrative Assistant  |  Hourly Rate: $16.00

Employment Status:  Full Time

Basic Function:

Provides administrative support to free the attention of both the Loan Officer and the Executive Director.  Assist in the development of company procedures.  Serves as liaison between staff and Executive Director.  Performance objectives include planning, research, communication, project coordination, record keeping, loan management and budgeting.  Writing minutes for various meetings conducted by SNIEDC.

Minimum Qualifications:

Associate Degree in Office Management Business Administration or related field.  Typing and written skills a must.  Must be computer proficient in word and spreadsheet applications.  Must have a NYS valid driver’s license and be able to pass a background/criminal history clearance, if applicable.  Position is subject to pre-employment and random drug screens.

Send resumes by 01/15/2021 to:  SNIEDC, PO Box 437, Salamanca, NY  14779 or jonathanzurek@sniedc.org

The post HELP WANTED: SNIEDC Seeking Administrative Assistant appeared first on SNI Official Newsletter.

HIGH HONOR ROLL
Cadence Luther – 6
Winter Rivera – 8
Alhanna Gabel – 9
Cameron Nagel – 11
Jasmine Halftown – 12
Shon Thompson – 12
Grace Wakefield – 12
Cecelia Young – 12

HONOR ROLL
Isabella Gill – 5
Mychal Williams – 5
Aubrie Heron – 9
Chloe Luther – 9
Daymein Beaver – 11
Adam Golden – 11
Trinaty Jensen – 12
Kirk Mohawk – 12
Miya Scanlan- 12
Kristen Warrior- 12

MERIT ROLL
Aziyah Washburn – 5
Titus Beaver – 6
Jordan Quinn – 6
Leila Thompson – 7
Alyssa Golden – 8
Seneka Jackson – 8
Ruben Rivera IV – 10
Shelby Weston – 10
Kaylee Bird – 11
Mary Denea – 11
Keagan Fox – 11
Chase Gioffreda – 11
Logan Lukonaitis – 11
Mia Coulon – 12
Ariyah Jimerson-Ocasio – 12
Alexis John – 12
Brandon LeBeau Jr – 12
Leland Parker – 12
Scotia Snyder – 12

LAKE SHORE CENTRAL SCHOOL

HONOR ROLL
Peyton Fox – 6
Saniya Seneca – 6
Mason Snyder – 6
Tyla Thompson – 6
Elliott Catalano – 7
Mauricio Gurule – 7
Brody Himelein – 7
Kate Kennedy – 7
Lily Kushner – 7
James Mecca – 7
Stanley Francis – 8
Kiowa Haynes – 8
Alexis Hummel – 8
Laelle Jimerson – 8
Aquinnah Maybee – 8
Stevieana Seneca – 8
Dakota Familo – 9
Morgan Huff – 9
Macay Jimerson – 9
Ava Tallchief – 9
Blayze Becker – 10
Giana Corsaro – 10
Riley Fleming – 10
Skilynn Halftown – 10
Koewyn Jimerson – 10
Alexandria Kennedy – 10
Nyla Rivera – 10
Tianna Thuman – 10
Joiise John – 11
Shatan Mohawk – 11
Ava Waterman – 11
Lila Bennett – 12
Angela Edmond – 12
Fantasy Jimerson- Kenjockety – 12
Emma Kushner – 12
Aaliyah Lyle – 12
Layla Seneca – 12
Miranda Williams – 12

MERIT ROLL
Hank Bifaro – 6
Ayla Jimerson – 6
Kyrie Buffalo – 7
Layla Jimerson – 7
Jairon Nephew – 7
Ciara Thompson – 7
Jordan Cooke Jr – 8
Travis Jimerson – 8
Jack Thompson – 8
Morgan Gates – 9
Caye John – 9
Troy Kennedy – 9
Eric Kushner – 9
Jacella Nephew – 9
Emiliee Ramirez – 9
Isaac Clear – 10
Dallas Garlow – 10
Canaan John – 10
Daylin John – 10
Delby Parry – 10
Madeline Maybee – 11
Meadow Porter – 11

SILVER CREEK CENTRAL SCHOOL

HONOR
Benjamin O’Dell – 6
Molly Shaw – 6
Jalyn Smith – 6
Ella Austin – 7
Shylor Maybee – 7
Laneya Olsen – 9
Timothy Williams – 9
Tory Cook – 10
Jackson Williams – 10
Genevieve Balestrieri – 11
Danaceus Maybee – 12
Keith Seneca – 12

CREDIT ROLL
Cash LeRoy – 6
Kellen Renaldo – 6
Johnathan Seneca – 6
Jacie Stevens – 6
Skyla Gates – 7
Gabriella Seneca – 8
Vayda Stevens – 9
Jakeb Millar – 10
Gracie Hoelzle – 11
Roger Williams – 11
Shandon Monrroy – 12
Kianna Warrior – 12

The post Cattaraugus Education Department Honor Rolls appeared first on SNI Official Newsletter.

Please call Gosheneh Kennedy if you have any questions. 716-945-8119 ext. 3103.

The post Reminder: Seneca Nation Higher Education Scholarship appeared first on SNI Official Newsletter.

I hope you and your families can enjoy this holiday season amidst this ever-changing landscape. This time of year, is usually spent with family celebrating and reminiscing about the year. 2020 has definitely given us much to talk about.

The Coronavirus continues to be on the forefront of most conversations with the increased numbers of confirmed cases on Territory. As you may have heard, on the recent PSA’s, the greatest threat for spreading the virus may be social gatherings. Please use good judgment throughout the season to keep our numbers low.

You can see updated information on the Nation’s response hub at the https://sni.org website. Important testing dates and locations, cumulative data and a 14 day snap shot of confirmed cases are noted. Additional contact numbers are listed should members have questions concerning the virus.

At this point information regarding the vaccine is forthcoming. We are confirmed to be receiving the Moderna vaccine; however the date and number will be determined by the Federal Indian Health Services. The roll out of availability will be relayed as soon as it is given to our Seneca Nation Health System.

The last testing dates this month will be December 21st and 28th from 3-5pm at the Cattaraugus Fire Hall and on December 22nd and 29th from 3-5pm at the Allegany DPW building. Please remember to preregister at www.bluestonesafe.com and to self-quarantine until you receive the results to be safe. Bluestone registration site will walk you through the steps for registering. This is an important step and will lower wait time in line. Increased testing not only tells us how many are positive, it helps the Department of Health with data, what are the percentages, what age groups or how do we compare to larger population etc. All of this information is important to slowing down the spread.

The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Team has provided on-site training to individuals interested in assisting with the drive through testing. We are grateful to anyone who steps up to become a paid tester, as it takes the responsibility off of our regular EMS workers. Their primary responsibility is to be available for community emergencies and mutual aid assistance. If interested in being trained contact the Emergency Management Department at 716-532-8178.

Please continue to practice all Covid-19 protocols to stay safe. As the American Hospital Associations states, “for all the things you love, wear a mask”, social distance and wash hands often. This will reduce the spread and flatten the curve.

Council and Executives have taken additional steps toward safety. The Early Childhood Learning Center and Seneca Allegany Learning Center will close to children and staff until January 4 due to an increased number of cases and room closures in the facilities. The Community Centers will also close to the public to limit gatherings and to create safer wellness areas when they reopen in the new year.

Access to WiFi at the CCC MPR will remain open and tutoring services for students will continue at both Education Departments through Christmas break. Contact your respective department for tutoring service information. I urge parents to help their children stay current with attendance and assignments as they forge through this new way of learning. It’s important to their educational success and future.

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Seneca’s stay safe, we will get through this together!

Matthew B. Pagels

Below are some TIPS for celebrating the holiday season safely:

The post A message from President Matthew B. Pagels appeared first on SNI Official Newsletter.

Mission
The mission of the Allegany Language Department, Ögwaiwanösde’ Ögwawënö’–we cherish our language, is to promote Seneca language use.

To increase the use of the Seneca language throughout the Nation, the department:

• works with community members and various Seneca Nation departments to offer Onöndowa’ga:’ gawë:nö’ learning opportunities
• regularly collaborates with other language departments/programs
• actively promotes the use of the Seneca language through social media
• offers online learning opportunities and translation services
• provides web-based learning/teaching tools, hands-on instructional materials, and the audio-visual content required by Seneca language learners and teachers both on and off-territory
• offers professional development opportunities to language teachers/teachers in training

Allegany Language Department
Ögwaiwanösde’ Ögwawënö’ – We cherish our language.

Staff Members as of 12/7/2020
Allegany Language Director
Ja:no’s–Janine Bowen

Senior Master Elder
Gayanogwad–Phyllis Bardeau

Digital Media Developer
“Niya’sgë:ö’”–James Crane

Conversational Apprentices
Daëdzö:n–Jordan Ball
Dewata’se:’–Kelsey Lay
Ga:nowöshe’–Alyssa Schmidt

Media Specialist, assigned to Allegany Language
“Yesga’tgwës”–Lauren Stevens

Services Provided by the Allegany Language Department:
Ögwaiwanösde’ Ögwawënö’-we cherish our language

Language Instruction

The Allegany Language Department works with community members and various Seneca Nation departments to offer Onöndowa:ga:’ gawë:nö’ learning opportunities.

• The Allegany Language Department provides basic Seneca language instruction to various Seneca Nation employees, as well as community members both on and off-territory.
• The department offers tutoring services and department classes, upon request.
• An online class for very beginner / novice low learners can be found at: https://classroom.google.com/c/MzA1OTExMzA3NjFa?cjc=bxtd7n6
• An online class for novice mid – high learners requires students to have passed a small speaking assessment, as it has a weekly conversational component.
• The Seneca language instruction offered centers on providing novice level learners with the building blocks needed to advance to intermediate level proficiency.
• Students must actively participate in speaking activities, in order to practice using Onöndowa:ga:’ gawë:nö’.
• For instructional opportunities, please contact Ja:no’s Bowen, the Allegany Language Director at janos.bowen@sni.org or (716) 945-1790, extension 3171.

Language Resource Creation and Distribution

The Allegany Language Department provides web-based learning/teaching tools, hands-on instructional materials, and the audio-visual content required by Seneca language learners and teachers both on and off-territory

● At Ögwaiwanösde’ Ögwawënö’–we cherish our language, we work hard to create and distribute teaching and learning resources to Seneca Nation Departments and programs, Haudenosaunee language learners and teachers, as well as community members.
• In order to make the language more readily accessible, we maintain the website www.senecalanguage.com, a Facebook group entitled senecalanguage.com, a YouTube channel called Seneca Language, and Twitter feed @SenecaLangauge, which include materials from the Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Immersion Language Departments.
• If you would like to see what more we have to offer, please contact James Crane, our Digital Media Developer by email at james.crane@sni.org or by phone at (716) 945-1790, extension 3173.

Professional Development

The Allegany Language Department offers professional development opportunities to language teachers/teachers in training.

● The Allegany Language Department offers professional development/teacher-training workshops for all Seneca language apprentices and teachers from Seneca Nation language departments, education departments, early childhood learning centers, public school districts and the Tonawanda Seneca Nation.
• Topics include Seneca history and grammar, instructional methods, language revitalization strategies, traditional teachings, and behavior management, to name a few.

Translation Services

● The Allegany Language Department offers small-scale translation services to community members and Seneca Nation departments/programs.
● The department focuses on contemporary Seneca language translations for use in the classroom, office, home, etc.
• The focus of the Allegany Language Department is to promote the use of the Seneca language centered on conversational aspects used today.
• The Allegany Language Department does not offer research services on archaic/ancient forms of the language.

Language Digitization Services

● The Allegany Language Department offers language digitization services to community members and Seneca Nations departments/programs.
• The following Onöndowa’ga:’ gawë:nö’ items can be digitized for safe storage and easier access:
• VHS cassettes
• Audio cassettes
• Old documents
• Books

Language Promotion through Social Media

● The Allegany Language Department actively promotes the Seneca language through YouTube, and Twitter, Facebook.
• The department uses the following to assist in Seneca language promotion and awareness:
• Video lessons
• Language challenges
• Announcements of useful resources created by various Seneca language teachers and programs
• Interactive activities
• Community projects
• Quizlet sets with links
• Google Classroom Updates

Below you’ll find the UPDATED Language Media Request Form

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A copy of the Executive Order is posted below:

The post President’s Office Executive Order appeared first on SNI Official Newsletter.

Novice Mid – High Level Conversational Seneca class

Fridays at 10 AM via Skype.
Study is mandatory!

This class requires completion of the course materials covered in the Novice Low/Very Beginner Conversational Seneca Class on Mondays (or the equivalent).

You must take a small speaking assessment to participate in this class.

For more information, contact Ja:no’s Bowen @ janosjaninebowen via Skype.

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