Join us as we pay our respects and recognize the brave men and women who have given their lives in service to our nation.

A to-go lunch will be provided.

The post Memorial Day 2023 appeared first on SNI Official Newsletter.

Seneca Elder Protection Code Draft Review

A Seneca Nation Law that protects Seneca Elders (Adults 60 plus years old) from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

A comment period for all enrolled members will remain open between May 8th – May 26th. The document will be available for review at the Seneca Nation Clerk’s Office or by emailing clerksoffice@sni.org.

Two (2) community hearings are scheduled for this month:

• May 16th at the CCC-MPR from 5-6:30pm
• May 18th at the ACC-MPR from 5:30-7pm

See flyer for details:

The post Community Hearing Special Notice appeared first on SNI Official Newsletter.

salamancany.org

When: Sunday, June 11, 2023
Where: Start and Finish at Veteran’s Memorial Park, Salamanca, NY 14779
Time: Check in 9-9:45am with a 10am start time
Cost: $30.00 ages 13 and up | $20.00 ages 12 and under

Register online HERE. T-Shirts are available, please indicate that when checking out OR order online: https://jamestowncycleshop.chipply.com/cindymohr5krun/

Deadline to register and receive a race shirt is May 19, 2023.

Chicken Barbecue:

There will also be a Chicken Barbecue lunch available the day of the event at Vet’s Park – $12 includes 2 sides and a bottle of water. Time: 11am until gone (100 dinners available). Pre-sale tickets can be purchased from members of the Class of 2023 or by contacting:

• Levi Sponeybarger | LSponeybarger@salamancany.org
• Michala Redeye | mredeye@salamancany.org

Scholarship Criteria:

The Cynthia J. Mohr Scholarship will be awarded yearly to one or two graduating seniors, pursuing higher education, selected by the class of 2023 class officers, class advisors, selected district staff, and Cindy Mohr’s family. Students must apply for the scholarship by June 4 each year and must:

1. Have been a student of Cindy Mohr,
2. Write a brief one to two paragraph statement discussing how Mrs. Mohr taught them perseverance and determination.

• The amount will be determined each school year.

The post The Cynthia Mohr Memorial 5K Run/Walk appeared first on SNI Official Newsletter.

Motivational Speaker, Actor, Musician and Advocate Gary Farmer will be at the Silver Creek High School Auditorium on Thursday, May 25th, 2023. Food vendors will be available from 4:30-6:45pm. Gary will take the stage at 7pm. Don’t miss out on this exciting event for students and parents! Bring the whole family, this event is open to everyone! Stop in and support your local vendors and get a chance to see Gary!

The post Gary Farmer From ‘Rez Dogs’ Presenting at Silver Creek School appeared first on SNI Official Newsletter.

www1.villanova.edu

Yanenowi Logan (Seneca, Deer Clan, Cattaraugus Territory), Cornell Junior, and Co-President of NCAI Youth Commission, served on a panel Tuesday, April 18th at Villanova University with Robin Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass, and Melina Laboucan-Massimo, Co-Founder of Indigenous Climate Action. Their afternoon panel session focused on “Healing the Land, Ending Poverty Through Kincentric Wisdom and Indigenous Storytelling.” Yanenowi received a round of applause when she called upon institutions (like Villanova and Cornell) to engage with, listen to, and be responsive to Indigenous students and Native Nations. Ja:göh!

The post Ja:göh Yanenowi Logan! appeared first on SNI Official Newsletter.

Submitted by Agnes Williams

Kate Fay Petrovic, Wolf Clan member of the Seneca Nation, the daughter of Rachelle (Tarbell) and Zeljko Petrovic, sister of Alex and Luka Petrovic (Cypress, Texas) is graduating Magna Cum Laude this May from Loyola University New Orleans. Kate played basketball for Loyola University all four years and double majored in Business Analytics and Marketing.

She also interned over the summer and continued to work part-time with a large Market Research and Analytics firm during her senior year and will continue to work in the Business field upon graduation before going to Graduate School to pursue an MBA.

Kate is the granddaughter of Cattaraugus Seneca Agnes Fay Williams and the niece of Sadowah (John L) Nelson and Josephine Pierce, with seven cousins. She is the granddaughter of the eldest Kate and the late Dusan Petrovic of Belgrade, Serbia in Eastern Europe.

Her late maternal and paternal great grandparents were, Basil and Myra Rita (Snow) Williams and Jenny (Leaf) and Harvey Tarbell. Please join us in celebrating the hard work and achievements of Kate Fay Petrovic, Loyola University Class of 2023! Ja:göh!

The post Seneca Scholar Athlete Graduating from Loyola University this May! appeared first on SNI Official Newsletter.

Ja:göh Erika Seneca-Hastie (Seneca, Turtle Clan) who received the 2023 Distinguished UB Alumni Award presented by the Department of Indigenous Studies, University at Buffalo.

Erika shared: Being recognized by my Alma Mater like this reminds me of how truly proud I am to have attended UB and that my time there really helped shaped me to be the person I am today. Horns Up and Let’s Go Bulls!

The post Ja:göh Erika Seneca-Hastie! appeared first on SNI Official Newsletter.

Major Sorensen was presented with a gift from Sergeant Major Ron Cook of a tobacco pouch and a vase from the Native American Parent Committee and student body.

Students and staff listened and learned from Major Sorenson as he took them through his life using Native American Story Telling to share his family, his experiences from his life of service, and even from his early days as a snake charmer. At the end, these incredible students were recognized for their accomplishments and for overcoming obstacles.

From the Lake Shore Schools Native American Program: A special thank you to the Anna Agro and Lake Shore Middle School Chorus students for their performance of our National Anthem, the High School Show Choir under Deanne Civilette, and our Lake Shore Award winning band under the direction of Eric Blodgett. A very special thank you to Post Commander Ret. CSM Ron Cook for his time and dedication to this event. Thank you to all of our students and staff for an outstanding event!

The post Students Visited by Major Patrick Sorenson & Command Sergeant Major Ronald Cook, Jr. appeared first on SNI Official Newsletter.

The Lake Shore Central Schools Native American Program held a contest asking students in grades 6-12 to design a logo that they could use to honor MMIW Recognition Day. The first place winner was created by Ada Irizarry, whose design appeared on stickers. Second place went to Salana Ferrgusquia, and third went to Kyrie Buffalo, whose designs were used on posters and other materials. Ja:göh ladies, stay creative!

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Pictured above: Alex Simmons, right, documentary cinematographer at the Faithkeepers Montessori Language Nest in Steamburg. In the film, the boy is showing Simmons a book he illustrated and wrote in the Seneca language.

The CREATE Project is pleased to present the premier of “Tradition, Trauma, & Tenderness,” at Gowanda’s Historic Hollywood Theater on Friday, July 14. Free and open to the public, the 90-minute film will begin at 7:30 p.m. A reception in the theater’s lobby will follow. All are welcome.

“Tradition, Trauma, & Tenderness” tells the story about an individual, a family, a community, and culture, along with a multitude of diverse cultures.

Each is impacted by various traumas and each gathers strength and resilience from their community and the traditions that sustain them. The film reveals the universal experience of trauma. It also recognizes the fact that each trauma has a particular shape and impact on those facing it. Attention is paid to marginalized communities whose suffering of trauma has been historically overlooked, including the experiences of children.

Directed and executive produced by Valerie Walawender, videographed and edited by Alex Simmons, the documentary explores traditions and trauma touched by people and cultures from across the globe. The film features Native American tradition-bearers Bill Crouse, Sandy Dowdy, Kari Kennedy, Hunter Skye, Rhylee Hoag, Peter Jones, and Mike Jones; as well as insights from psychologist Dr. Darryl Tonemah and neuroscientist Dr. Audrey Hager.

Everyday moments and heart-warming traditions dance across the screen: tender family dinners; Polish Polka dance, Greek Yassou; Puerto Rican folk song, Kwanza, Jewish bar mitzva, Swedish midsummer pole decorating; Native American storytelling, music, food.

In contrast, images of natural disasters, abuse, disease, genocide, slavery, poverty, and war, reveal trauma coming from all directions throughout history.

Adults and children share how close family connection and community support helped them survive events in their lives that caused great harm. They describe how their traditions strengthen them to carry on in a spirit of hope.

Perspectives from psychology and neuroscience point to individual healing and the prevention of trauma, through the passing on of traditions in tender, nurturing environments. The film is hoped to contribute to public awareness concerning how traditions and tenderness can serve as an antidote and preventative measure to suffering caused by trauma.

This film was produced with funding from Arts Services, Inc. and Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation. The CREATE Project board of directors — Mary Miller, Carol Ludwig, Landon Gray, Rebecca Warren, and Makayla Santiago Froebel — gratefully acknowledges a multitude of volunteers, agencies, and others who contributed to the making of this film including: The city of Dunkirk, Faithkeepers Montessori Language Nest, Warrior Flight Team, Clymer Central School, Native American Consortium, Chautauqua County Department of Mental Health Tapestry Program, Lori DeCarlo (Restorative Circles), Dunkirk Public Library, and others.

Source

Check out the Trailer for Tradition, Trauma, & Tenderness here:

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