Nya:wëh Sgë:nö’
I’m thankful you are well
Onöndowa’ga:’ Gawënö’
Gweh gweh ögyadeo’
Since early 2019 I’ve been an intense Seneca language learner. Legit, there was nothing gradual about it. I was thrown directly into the fire in learning my ancestral language Seneca. But when you’re 29 years-old and serious about learning a language in a short amount of time immersion is kinda the only way to go, for me at least.
I’ve been a life-long learner in the classroom you could say. I’ve been in school for probably 3/4th of my whole life. Education was expected from me at a young age. I remember my parents saying to me “you’re going to college” the child of working class parents (a nurse and an ironworker) naturally they wanted a better life for their child, they encouraged my studies and.. well look at me now still in school. So I suppose I’m a good-listener after all of these years. But yeah back to language..
I’ve always had a complex relationship when it comes to my native language of Onöndowa’ga:’ Gawënö’ (Seneca). I remember as a young boy growing up on Jönya:dih (Jimersontown) more specifically Fort Apache, Aksot gëö’ (Hazel Jimerson) would speak Seneca usually while cooking in the kitchen or watching her favorite soap opera As The World Turns. I would go over to her house after school before my mom got home from work and wherever my dad was. I remember one of the first words I learned Ojike’da’ (salt), she’d ask me to pass the salt or stop playing with the salt shaker (the imagination of a 7-year old boy I tell ya). I always knew her as Gramma J, loving, caring, and a fan of Mickey Mouse. Not until years later I became aware of her extensive knowledge of the language. Being a language teacher in her younger years with my cousin Hazel Dean John, and among others. I am told by the elders of today some of her common sayings.
In this section of my website I dedicate to my gramma J. Seneca Language Teacher. Cornhusk doll-maker. Gönóöhgwa’ Aksot gëö’
Hazel Jimerson
Gramma J - Love and Miss you
Deadiwënöhsnye’s Gëjóhgwa’ O’tënödögot
On September 15th, 2022 we gathered at the Jimersontown Seneca Volunteer Fire Dept. to celebrate our Deadiwënöhsnye’s Gëjóhgwa’ Graduates on completing the two-year program, and continuing on to becoming proficient conversational Seneca speakers. The graduates of this program are encouraged to become language teachers, and further their learning through speaking with elders and transcribing audio, and elder speech.
For more information on the program visit this link: Seneca Immersion Group
All photos courtesy of Seneca Media & Communications Center. Pictured September 15th 2022. See full article click here!
Watch our video for more information on how to join Deadiwënöhsnye’s Gëjóhgwa’! We are currently taking applications for the next cohort on the Allegany Territory starting in Fall of 2022. Admissions Test and Application Process Click here!
Video By: Derise Waterman (DG Graduate & Year 1 teacher)