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When I look at her now, I get a glimpse at myself in the future. She seems to be doing well for her age. I get many things from my gramma, and one of them is her hair. I also got a little bit of her unique personality. When it comes to my grammas genes, I think they have gone to my daughter, she is tiny and spunky. Is my gramma 89 or 90? It doesn't matter. All that matters is she is the cutest most lovable person I know. She will be returning from Florida in a few weeks, and I can't wait to see her! Da•ne’thoh,
The kids in the school were so excited. They were going to play Snowsnake with the men again. The men spent the weekend building the track for the kids so they could play o Every class was dressed warm and ready to try their best on the new track; some kids even brought their own mudcats from home. One of our accomplished players explained the rules to the kids and how the game first came to our people. The kids were divided into teams and began to play. “Meat” also stopped by to watch the kids play. He shared some of his expertise in playing snowsnake and gave some great pointers to our upcoming “throwers”. It was a great time had by all; too bad the rains came and melted the track. Da•ne’thoh,
Skywoman ONS has a new music teacher. Her name is Miss Wolfe. So this new teacher has new ideas and is willing to try new things. The winter concert has always been an event which would bring everyone out of their comfy homes into their cars and make their way to the school gym to hear the chorus and band play. This time however, Miss Wolfe and our Art teacher Mrs. Homer decided to do something different, challenging, and got the who school excited ... a play. Mrs. Homer and Miss Wolfe wrote the play based on the Haudenosaunee Creation Story which all of the students (grades K-8) would have a part. The kids loved it and so did the audience. The play was a mix of traditional Onondaga social songs, musical arrangements, and acting. It was definitely worth the trip! Da•ne’thoh, Community Give One of the great traditions of the Onondaga Nation School is Community Give. It began in 1979 with an 8th grade class who wanted to do something for the elders in the community. So the class made homemade food and crafts and went to their elders homes to deliver them. It was such a success that more and more classes wanted to join in the fun. Now so many years later, it is a school-wide event where all students and teachers in grades Kindergarten thru 8th grade write and make things for our elders. The goodies get packed into boxes and carefully carried to the welcoming homes of the elders. They offer their services for chores and most importantly take time to visit and connect with these special members of our community. This year we had special guest, Peter Tigh. In February, Peter began his tenure as Superintendent for ONS and the LaFayette School District. In getting to know the people of our school, he was very excited to learn about the Community Give and asked if he could join also. So for the first time in the history of Community Give, the Superintendent joined in. Da•ne’thoh, February 14, 2008 I know that the last two entries have been about food but... The Kindergarten class advertised a bake sale at ONS for Valentines Day. When the Kindergarten teacher at ONS does bake sales, they are usually quite a sweet tooth feast. Today was no exception. Brownies, cupcakes, cakes, candied pretzels, cookies of all kinds, fresh Before my kids got on the bus, they remembered the bake sale and were busy doing "extra chores" for some change. It was worth it though as the kids were able to remember to pick up some goodies for us to bring home for dessert after dinner. Now all we have to do is coordinate the Corn soup dinners with the bake sales and we will be all set! Da•ne’thoh,
Onehogwa' or "Corn Soup" has been serverd up by the Onondaga forever. It is made from "white corn" which is a type of corn that is only grown among the Haudenosaunee communities. It is so important to us that it is serve it during our ceremonies. So when an invitation is sent out that there is going to Today the dinner was put on by our young ladies. These girls are raising money to head out to Vancouver to participate in the Indigenous Games to play softball and volleyball against other natives across North America. These games have been going on for a few years and it has been a great success for the youth of our community to set a goal, reach that goal in order to play against the best. But first, lets have some soup! Da•ne’thoh, So the day finally came. I am no longer in by thirties but now ... 40! I really can't believe it. When I was an adolescent, I thought that 40 means that you like t But when I did wake up on my 40th I thought of my mother. My mother passed away about 6 years ago but she is always there for us. She was in my thoughts that morning as I welcomed a new day. I always would tease her about how "old" I was and that I was almost 40... "Twenty-two is close to 30 which when you count by 10s is 40..." My mom would then tell me how she was NOT old and then do her crazy walk/jog just to show that she still 'Had It.' But after I had my children, I came to realize how much my wife celebrated our children's birthdays because it was her special day too. It was a day when my wife and mom and brought in to our world, a new person to love. I told my morning revelation to my wife as we sat together for a special Birthday lunch in downtown Syracuse. We both agreed, my mom was cool. Da•ne’thoh, Gia'weñoweñsgo·nah Midwinter Ceremonies are here! We have been going to the Longhouse every day now for the past 18 days. Giving thanks to the Creator for the gifts that are given to us. These ceremonies that we've been going to have been a part of Haudenosaunee life forever. Getting ready is always the fun part in our family. When we go to Longhouse, we wear our Ongwehonwe or original dress. We get our kids ready first because they are always itching to get down to ceremonies 'right away'. Today the kids were so patient that my wife was able to snap this picture as they waited for me to get ready. Boy I've got good kids. Da•ne’thoh,
Welcome to the new year of 2008! At Onondaga we welcome the New Year by visiting year other with shouts of "New Yea! New Yea!" This year was no different as my family and I got our warm clothes on and we headed out with our bags to visit our neighbors.
No one remembers when this tradition began at Onondaga, but everyone has great memories of when they were out New Yea-ing. This year we started walking and it immediately started to rain, then sunshine, followed by hail, cold gusty winds, and finally giant fluffy snowflakes fell from the sky. We were going to work for our treats this year. We try to go to as many houses as we can but there are some that we cannot miss. Our first of can't miss houses is my fathers. As part of his New Yea tradition is making homemade molasses cookies. The recipe was my grandmothers (on my mother's side) and she gave the recipe to my father and he's been maki After we left my father's place we walked down towards main road collecting as many cookies and seeing as many old friends as we could before we got too cold and had to make our way back home. It is a great tradition. Happy New Yea everyone! Da•ne’thoh,
Solstice at ONS December 22, 2007 
The Onondaga Nation School celebrated the winter solstice on Friday, the last day of school before winter break. The kids were all very excited for all of the activities planned for them. The classroom teachers had several different activities to celebrate the shortest day and the longest night including decorating the glass atrium. The kids, mine included, love these days when the teachers in the primary grades all get together to learn, sing, and smile together. I went to this school and loved it. I know that my kids do too. Snow Day Chris Brandalino called for Lake Effect snow. So last night it started snowing… and it didn’t stop. And as my 78 year old father says, “When I was young we didn’t have Lake Effect snow, we just had snow.” This morning we watched as the morning news as more and more schools began to list which school district was delayed an hour and which schools were closed. As usual our school district, LaFayette wasn’t listed. As more and more schools continued to be added to the rolling script on the bottom of the tv screen, our spirits rose. Then at 5:40 am we saw what we’ve been waiting for, “Lafayette Central Schools Closed”. Yea! So after our morning Maypo, the kids were ready with their snow-pants and sleds and I got my hat and gloves on and headed outside to shovel us out. One of the reasons why On After they waved see-ya, I heard them start plowing my sister’s driveway. What nice guys. Da•ne’thoh, Neda’heñ’wha’ Nangeñhoñhgeñh – Turkey Day This past weekend was Turkey Day or Thanksgiving across the United States. This is a time set aside to give thanks for your “blessings”, eat some turkey, and watch some football. Onondaga as well as the other Haudenosaunee communities continue in a practice of “Giving Thanks” every time we gather for a ceremony or a meeting large or small. This ritual reminds us all to give thanks to all of Creation that they are still here and still performing their duties. It also reminds us how each aspect of our lives is connected from the earth, the medicines, the tress, and free animals, the berries, the food, the waters, the winds, the thunders, the sun, moon and stars and the Creator. It is a practice that all of the people hold close to their hearts. So as many head to their local mall, check out a book by Mohawk Chief Jake Swamp entitled “Giving Thanks”. This is a beautifully illustrated children’s book that reviews our traditional custom that is still practiced today. Da•ne’thoh,
Snow- O'gä Da•ne’thoh,
November 10, 2007 At Onondaga it is time to give thanks. It is time for us to gather at the Longhouse for Hadiyeñtwagwas, or Harvest Ceremonies. These ceremonies that have been a part of life at Onondaga since the Creator placed us on Earth and gave us our instructions. For so long, Onondaga parents have been taking their children to the Longhouse to give thanks for the gifts that the Creator has given us. It feels so good to do the same for our children. Our Harvest Ceremony lasts for 6 days. It is always a great feeling seeing all of the familiar faces in our community coming together. If someone isn’t there, they are missed. Our community works together to perform these important ceremonies that have been handed down from our ancestors. Each member of our Nation contributes during our ceremonies. Our elders, speakers, singers, cooks and dancers (young and old) all work together to continue our traditions. It is such an uplifting feeling. I hope we’re not late. Da•ne’thoh,
October 30, 2007 Nyaweñha Skä•noñh, Welcome to the Onondaga Nation blog. This blog will be collaborative
effort from different voices from the people at the Onondaga Nation. We
will hopefully share a lit bit of why we love to call Onondaga home. I have a few pair of moccasins but I know exactly how old these ones are. I’ve been wearing these ‘mocs’ for the past fifteen years. The years are significant to me as I made these moccasins in preparation for my wedding at the Longhouse on July 25, 1992. It was an exciting day for me and my wife and wearing these mocs brings back some of those memories when my wife and I were so young. But like my mocs, my wife and I are a good fit. Da•ne’thoh ("that is all"),
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n Monday. 
popocorn and so many other sweets that I couldn't remember then all were all lined up on these long tables, ready for hungry buyers with a sweet tooth. 
be a Corn Soup dinner, you better get there early.
o watch 60 Minutes and The Lawrence Welk Show. Well I started watching the Lawrence Welk Show ages ago with my daughter but 60 Minutes still doesn't do it for me.
ng them ever since, they are deliciously soft and moist.
ondaga is so special is that everyone helps each other. So before I even shoveled up the car, a truck with a couple of guys showed up in their pickup. Soon they were plowing out my neighbor’s driveway and mine too! They have been out helping others all morning.
