Education | Employment | Economic

Education

The Seneca Nation Education Department provides access to needed life-long, quality education, Seneca Language and culture services to the Ongwehoweh community. Through education, we will convey our rich cultural past into a rapidly changing world, prospering in the many exciting personal and professional opportunities it will present.

The Education Department constantly strives to expand and enhance our services. Presently, there are eleven component programs within the department:

Education Administration
Coordinates educational services and programs within the department, as well as with three public school systems, serving the K-12 population of the Cattaraugus Territory: Gowanda, Lake Shore and Silver Creek

Early Childhood Services
The Head Start and Pre-School Programs are housed in the state -of-the-art Early Childhood Learning Center, which annually serves nearly 200 children and their families. All services at this center are delivered in a high quality, culturally based manner.

Even Start
Even Start exists to help break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy by integrating early childhood education, adult literacy or adult basic education and parenting education into an inclusive family literacy program.

Johnson O' Malley
This program provides supplementary services to meet the unique and specialized educational needs of Native American students. Tutors work daily in the school district with Native students.

Higher Education
The Higher Education Program promotes education and career development among enrolled Senecas. This is done through guidance and post-secondary scholarship assistance. The Higher Education Program annually hosts several career and college informational sessions for community members.

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Seneca Language and Culture
This program's focus is to preserve the Seneca Language and culture. Language instruction in culturally relevant topics is offered at the Early Childhood Learning Center, Lake Shore and Silver Creek Central School Districts via the Distance Learning Lab.

The Seneca Academy
The Seneca Academy is the Seneca Nation’s first independent school for tribally enrolled students. The mission of the Seneca Academy is to provide a rich curriculum that embraces both Seneca and Western knowledge and understanding with the fundamental objective that young Seneca students will be empowered to assume the full responsibilities of citizenship in Seneca society and beyond. More information...

Media Services
This component provides the Seneca Nation with audio/visual recordings, photography, as well as, digital and print-related media. This allows for the documentation of various culturally-related events and activities.

GED Classes
The Seneca Nation Education Department contracts with Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES to provide GED preparatory classes.

Tribal Youth Council
This Council provides a collective voice to represent youth in all matters that concern them. It is also a forum to develop leadership skills and organize community service activities. The Youth Council is open to students in grades 8-12 on the Allegany and Cattaraugus Territories.

We invite all students, parents and community members to access these services. Please contact us at:

Seneca Nation Education Department
12861 Route 438
Irving, NY 14081

Ms. Carrie Peterson, Director
Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, EST.
Telephone: (716) 532-3341
Fax: (716) 532-3269

Education | Employment | Economic